Proletarian Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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proletarian
pro-le-tar-i-an
Definition
working class
The term 'proletarian' refers to a member of the working class, particularly in the context of Marxist theory. Proletarians are considered to be those who do not own the means of production and must sell their labor to survive. In a broader sense, it embodies the idea of a class that is economically oppressed and exploited by the bourgeoisie. Proletarians are central to discussions about social class and labor rights.
Synonyms
laborer, worker, working person.
Examples of usage
- The proletarian movement has roots in the industrial revolution.
- Many proletarians united to demand better working conditions.
- The novel depicted the struggles of a proletarian in a capitalist society.
Translations
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Quick facts about “proletarian”
Proletarian is a 5-syllable noun (pro-le-tar-i-an). It is pronounced /ˌpɹoʊɫəˈtɛɹiən/ in American English and /pɹəʊltˈeəɹiən/ in British English. On finesentence.com it has 1 meaning, 3 synonyms, and translations into 21 languages. It ranks #14,265 among the most common English words.
Origin of 'proletarian'
The word 'proletarian' comes from the Latin term 'proletarius', which originally referred to a citizen of Rome whose only wealth was their offspring (proles). In ancient Rome, this class was seen as the lowest of the social hierarchy, as they didn’t own land or significant property. The term was later adopted into Marxist theory, where it referred specifically to the working class in the context of capitalism, emphasizing the struggle between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie. As the industrial revolution progressed, the concept evolved, highlighting issues of labor rights, economic exploitation, and class struggle. The term gained prominence in socialist and communist movements as a way to identify those who collectively sought to overthrow capitalist systems.
Rhymes
Proletarian rhymes with centenarian, contrarian, parliamentarian, planarian, seminarian, septuagenarian, wagnerian and librarian.