1. Conformist, materialistic, and anti-intellectual attitudes and behavior characteristic of middle-class American society; smug complacency and lack of cultural sophistication.
Usage: Often used critically or satirically; Derived from the character Babbitt in Sinclair Lewis's 1922 novel of the same name

Examples

• The critic dismissed the popular entertainment as mere babbitry, lacking any artistic merit.
• His rejection of babbitry led him to pursue unconventional career paths.
• The novel satirizes the babbitry of suburban middle-class life in early 20th-century America.
• She grew tired of the babbitry around her and moved to a more culturally vibrant city.
• The author's sharp commentary on babbitry resonated with readers seeking social critique.
• Their obsession with status symbols and consumer goods exemplified the worst of babbitry.