1. a philosophical theory that universal concepts exist as mental constructs rather than as independent realities
Usage: philosophy
2. an art movement emphasizing ideas and concepts over traditional aesthetic and material concerns
Usage: art

Examples

• Medieval philosophers debated conceptualism as a middle ground between realism and nominalism.
• His thesis explored conceptualism in Thomas Aquinas’s writings.
• The museum’s new exhibition focuses on conceptualism in 1960s art.
• Conceptualism challenged traditional notions of what art could be.
• The artist’s work exemplifies conceptualism by prioritizing ideas over visual appeal.
• Critics argued that conceptualism had moved too far from accessible art forms.