expansionism

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

noun

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

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. 2018

Examples from the Web for expansionist

Contemporary Examples of 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

Historical Examples of expansionist

I have said General MacArthur was a “thoroughgoing” expansionist.
The American Occupation of the Philippines 1898-1912
James H. Blount
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
Up-to-date fashion is a democratic tyrant, an expansionist invading and permeating all places and peoples.
Discourses of Keidansky
Bernard G. Richards
His stout imperialism had won him the leadership of the expansionist West and South.
Expansion and Conflict
William E. Dodd

British Dictionary definitions for expansionist

expansionism

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

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