Dictionary.com
definitions

conservatism

[kuh n-sur-vuh-tiz-uh m]
|
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR conservatism ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the disposition to preserve or restore what is established and traditional and to limit change.
the principles and practices of political conservatives.

RELATED CONTENT

political spectrumRead more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE
These Are The Words That Divide UsSometimes it feels as if our country is more divided than it’s ever been. With social media and cable news outlets acting as our own personal echo chambers, it feels like our political differences seem to be dividing us more than ever. But, we should also recognize that this isn’t the first instance of divisive politics in US history. Think about the incredibly tumultuous 1960s, …
READ MORE

RELATED WORDS

moderation, orthodoxy, preservation, traditionalism, conservativeness

Nearby words

  1. conservation of linear momentum,
  2. conservation of mass,
  3. conservation of momentum,
  4. conservation of parity,
  5. conservationist,
  6. conservative,
  7. conservative baptist,
  8. conservative jew,
  9. conservative judaism,
  10. conservative party

Origin of conservatism

First recorded in 1825–35; conservat(ive) + -ism
Related formsan·ti·con·serv·a·tism, nounhy·per·con·serv·a·tism, nouno·ver·con·serv·a·tism, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for conservatism

British Dictionary definitions for conservatism

conservatism

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

Conservatism

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
Word Origin and History for conservatism

conservatism

n.

1835, in reference to the Conservative party in British politics; from conservative + -ism. From 1840 in reference to conservative principles generally.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Culture 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.