Nationalism
/ˈnæʃənəlɪzəm/
Definitions
The belief that people should be loyal to their nation and that their nation is more important than other nations.
/ˈnæʃənəlɪzəm/
Loyalty and devotion to a nation
The spread of nationalism was a major factor leading to the First World War.
💡 Simply: It's like when you *really* love your country and think it's the best! It's all about believing your nation is special and that it’s better than other countries. Think of cheering super loud for your country's sports team.
👶 For kids: Loving your country and thinking it's the best!
More Examples
He expressed his strong nationalism by waving his country's flag at the parade.
Nationalism can sometimes lead to conflict and prejudice against other nations.
How It's Used
"Nationalism played a significant role in the formation of modern nation-states."
"The rise of nationalism in the 20th century led to many conflicts and wars."
"Scholars analyze the varying manifestations of nationalism across cultures."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
national pride
A feeling of pride in one's nation.
"Winning the Olympics filled the country with national pride."
ethnic nationalism
A form of nationalism that emphasizes the importance of ethnicity as the defining characteristic of a nation.
"Ethnic nationalism can sometimes lead to discrimination against minority groups."
From French *nationalisme*, from *national* (national) + *-isme* (a suffix indicating a system or doctrine). The concept gained prominence in the late 18th and 19th centuries with the rise of nation-states.
The term gained significant traction in the 19th century during the rise of nation-states and European colonialism. It was used to describe a sentiment of patriotism and the desire for self-determination.
Memory tip
Think of a *nation's* strong *ism*—a strong belief in its importance.
Word Origin
"A political ideology and movement that promotes the interests of a particular nation, especially with the aim of gaining and maintaining sovereignty over its homeland."