ˈpɹæɡmətɪzəm ˈpɹaɡmətɪzəm ɹi.əlɪzm ɹiˈælɪti the attribute of accepting the facts of life and favoring practicality and literal truth (philosophy) the philosophical doctrine that abstract concepts exist independent of their names (philosophy) the philosophical doctrine that physical objects continue to exist when not perceived an artistic movement in 19th century France; artists and writers strove for detailed realistic and factual description the state of being actual or real the reality of his situation slowly dawned on him