expansionism

[ ik-span-shuh-niz-uh m ]

/ ɪkˈspæn ʃəˌnɪz əm /

noun

a policy of expansion, as of territory or currency: the colonial expansionism of Europe in the 19th century.

Nearby words

expansion joint, expansion slot, expansion team, expansion wave, expansionary, expansionism, expansionist, expansive, expansive bit, expansive classification, expansivity

Origin of expansionism

First recorded in 1895–1900; expansion + -ism

Related formsex·pan·sion·ist, noun, adjectiveex·pan·sion·is·tic, adjectivean·ti·ex·pan·sion·ism, nounan·ti·ex·pan·sion·ist, noun, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for expansionist

Born on April 15, 2009—Tax Day—the Tea Party movement was conceived last winter as a populist protest to expansionist government.
The Tea Party Splatters|Samuel P. Jacobs|January 11, 2010|DAILY BEAST
The Fox was an "expansionist" and an annexationist out of sympathy for the oppressed ponies of the Cheyennes.
Collection of Nebraska Pioneer Reminiscences|Nebraska Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution
I have said General MacArthur was a “thoroughgoing” expansionist.
The American Occupation of the Philippines 1898-1912|James H. Blount
His stout imperialism had won him the leadership of the expansionist West and South.
Expansion and Conflict|William E. Dodd

Up-to-date fashion is a democratic tyrant, an expansionist invading and permeating all places and peoples.
Discourses of Keidansky|Bernard G. Richards

British Dictionary definitions for expansionist

expansionism

/ (ɪkˈspænʃəˌnɪzəm) /

noun

the doctrine or practice of expanding the economy or territory of a country

Derived Formsexpansionist, noun, adjectiveexpansionistic, adjective

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 expansionist

expansionist

"one who advocates the expansion of the territory of his nation," 1864, from expansion + -ist. Related: Expansionism.