cargo cult
noun (sometimes initial capital letters)
any of various native religious cults of a millenarian and messianic character located in the southwestern Pacific islands, holding that spirits will bring large cargoes of modern goods for distribution among its adherents.
Origin of cargo cult
First recorded in 1945–50
OTHER WORDS FROM cargo cult
cargo cultist, nounWords nearby cargo cult
carfax,
carfuffle,
carful,
cargo,
cargo bay,
cargo cult,
cargo liner,
cargo pants,
cargo pocket,
carhop,
caria
British Dictionary definitions for cargo cult
cargo cult
noun
a religious movement of the SW Pacific, characterized by expectation of the return of spirits in ships or aircraft carrying goods that will provide for the needs of the followers