Definition of "idealism"

The property of a person of having high ideals that are usually unrealizable or at odds with practical life.  examples

The practice or habit of giving or attributing ideal form or character to things; treatment of things in art or literature according to ideal standards or patterns;—opposed to realism.  examples

(philosophy) An approach to philosophical enquiry, which asserts that direct and immediate knowledge can only be had of ideas or mental pictures.  examples