parochialism

[ puh-roh-kee-uh-liz-uhm ]

noun

1. a parochial character, spirit, or tendency; excessive narrowness of interests or view; provincialism.

Other Words From

• pa·rochi·al·ist noun
• pa·rochi·al·i·zation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of parochialism¹

First recorded in 1840–50; parochial + -ism

Example Sentences

Yet even in his parochialism, Jefferson's broad-mindedness remained apparent.

From Salon

In domestic terms, Celtic are good enough to win a fourth title in a row just as they are, but parochialism is the enemy of progress.

From BBC

Somewhere down the road from the campground, at which things are falling apart a little — no hot water, fridge on the fritz — is the adorable town of Timberlake, where we find shops and sidewalks and the local diner, run by Rob, which after dark becomes the local bar, a place for karaoke, slow dancing and an occasional unpleasant encounter with tourists less attuned to the area’s peaceful, easy feeling; this is a place of diversity, tolerance and caring, not parochialism and suspicion.

From Los Angeles Times

In part that reflects a “parochialism” among the countries building the instruments, says Jacob, who laments what will be missed.

From Science Magazine

Critics derided what they regarded as the parochialism of it all but at its peak the series would pull in 10 million viewers from across the UK.

From BBC