localism

[ loh-kuh-liz-uhm ]

noun

1. a word, phrase, pronunciation, or manner of speaking that is peculiar to one locality.
2. a local custom.
3. excessive devotion to and promotion of the interests of a particular locality; sectionalism.
4. attachment to a particular locality.

localism

/ ˈləʊkəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. a pronunciation, phrase, etc, peculiar to a particular locality
2. another word for provincialism

Derived Forms

• ˌlocalˈistic, adjective
• ˈlocalist, noun

Other Words From

• local·ist noun
• local·istic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of localism¹

First recorded in 1815–25; local + -ism

Example Sentences

Surfers can be notoriously territorial, and while I didn’t encounter any hostile localism at Westport, surfing’s growing popularity in Western Washington, combined with limited jetty parking, may occasionally raise tensions.

From Seattle Times

“Localism has been too impactful, meaning people locally are pushing back against new housing starts and construction.”

From Washington Times

If the city, whose officials have in the past characterized the aggressive Lunada Bay localism as “urban legend,” is found to have violated the Coastal Act, it could face huge penalties, up to $15,000 a day.

From Los Angeles Times

His enthusiasm for the CrunchyCon ideals of localism and smallness, at least, were sincere.

From Slate

As you read the list keep in mind that localism of ownership is critical and that newspapers should never again become controlled by absent investors who do not care about our communities.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• accent
• idiom
• jargon
• language
• lingo
• patois
• pronunciation
• slang
• terminology
• tongue
• vernacular
• vocabulary