nationalism

[ nash-uh-nl-iz-uhm, nash-nuh-liz- ]

noun

1. spirit or aspirations common to the whole of a nation:

   He describes how the intense and unconquerable nationalism of India’s hundreds of millions contributed to the decline of the British empire.

2. devotion and loyalty to one's own country; patriotism:

   The promotion of a healthy nationalism is part of the responsibility of the leaders of a newly independent, diverse nation.

3. excessive patriotism; chauvinism:

   This kind of nationalism, intolerance, or imperialism seems to occur even in the best democracies.

4. the desire for national advancement or political independence:

   A surge in Quebec nationalism led to the formation of the Parti Québécois, which was committed to a political route to Quebec independence.

5. the policy or doctrine of asserting the interests of one's own nation viewed as separate from the interests of other nations or of the international community: economic nationalism ( def ).

   There’s a struggle between integration and global values on the one hand, and uncompromising nationalism on the other.

6. an idiom or trait peculiar to a nation.
7. a movement, as in the arts, based upon the folk idioms, history, aspirations, etc., of a nation.

nationalism

/ ˈnæʃnə-; ˈnæʃənəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. a sentiment based on common cultural characteristics that binds a population and often produces a policy of national independence or separatism
2. loyalty or devotion to one's country; patriotism
3. exaggerated, passionate, or fanatical devotion to a national community See also chauvinism

nationalism

1. The strong belief that the interests of a particular nation-state are of primary importance. Also, the belief that a people who share a common language, history, and culture should constitute an independent nation, free of foreign domination.

Notes

Nationalism is opposed to colonialism and imperialism .

Derived Forms

• ˌnationalˈistic, adjective
• ˈnationalist, nounadjective

Other Words From

• an·ti·na·tion·al·ism noun
• non·na·tion·al·ism noun
• pro·na·tion·al·ism noun
• sem·i·na·tion·al·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of nationalism¹

First recorded in 1830–40; national ( def ) + -ism ( def )

Example Sentences

It suggests we’re entering an era of climate nationalism, where the right could be poised to reclaim climate change as an issue of its own.

From Salon

And the terrorists that came after him — like Payton Gendron, the self-declared “eco-fascist” who killed 10 Black shoppers in a Tops Friendly Market in Buffalo, New York, in 2022 and described his crime as a pursuit of “green nationalism.”

From Salon

Connections with Christian nationalism — an Old Testament-based worldview fusing Christian and American identities — are similarly strengthened.

From Salon

But it’s cold comfort against the violent truth of white nationalism.

From Los Angeles Times

Some are ideological die-hards yearning for Christian nationalism, but others just wanted the thrill of identifying with a shock jock, sowing mayhem, and putting a Black woman in power back in her place.

From Slate

Related Words

• fanaticism
• jingoism