CARGO CULT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does cargo cult mean? 

• CARGO CULT (noun)
  The noun CARGO CULT has 2 senses:

1. (Melanesia) the followers of one of several millenarian cults that believe salvation will come in the form of wealth ('cargo') brought by westerners; some ascribe divine attributes to westerners on first contact (especially to missionaries)

2. a religious cult that anticipates a time of joy, serenity, and justice when salvation comes

  Familiarity information: CARGO CULT used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CARGO CULT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

(Melanesia) the followers of one of several millenarian cults that believe salvation will come in the form of wealth ('cargo') brought by westerners; some ascribe divine attributes to westerners on first contact (especially to missionaries)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects

Hypernyms ("cargo cult" is a kind of...):

cult (followers of an unorthodox, extremist, or false religion or sect who often live outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader)

Domain category:

Melanesia (the islands in the southwestern part of Oceania)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A religious cult that anticipates a time of joy, serenity, and justice when salvation comes

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Hypernyms ("cargo cult" is a kind of...):

cult; cultus; religious cult (a system of religious beliefs and rituals)