conservatism
[ kuhn-sur-vuh-tiz-uhm ]
/ kənˈsɜr vəˌtɪz əm /
noun
the disposition to preserve or restore what is established and traditional and to limit change.
the principles and practices of political conservatives.
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Origin of conservatism
First recorded in 1825–35; conservat(ive) + -ism
OTHER WORDS FROM conservatism
an·ti·con·serv·a·tism, nounhy·per·con·serv·a·tism, nouno·ver·con·serv·a·tism, nounWords nearby conservatism
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for conservatism
British Dictionary definitions for conservatism (1 of 2)
conservatism
/ (kənˈsɜːvəˌtɪzəm) /
noun
opposition to change and innovation
a political philosophy advocating the preservation of the best of the established order in society and opposing radical change
British Dictionary definitions for conservatism (2 of 2)
Conservatism
/ (kənˈsɜːvəˌtɪzəm) /
noun (in Britain, Canada, etc)
the form of conservatism advocated by the Conservative Party
the policies, doctrines, or practices of the Conservative Party
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Cultural definitions for conservatism
conservatism
A general preference for the existing order of society, and an opposition to efforts to bring about sharp change. (Compare liberalism.)
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.