feminist

American  

[fem-uh-nist] / ˈfɛm ə nɪst /

adjective

1. advocating social, political, legal, and economic rights for women equal to those of men.

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noun

1. an advocate of such rights.

ˈfeminist British  

/ ˈfɛmɪnɪst /

noun

1. a person who advocates equal rights for women

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or advocating feminism

Other Word Forms

• antifeminist noun
• antifeministic adjective
• nonfeminist adjective
• profeminist noun
• unfeminist noun

Etymology

Origin of feminist

First recorded in 1850–55 (probably in the current sense, but possibly in the sense “feminine, womanly”); from Latin fēmina “woman” + -ist ( def. )

Example Sentences

West didn’t just embody feminist fat acceptance; she made it cool and brought it to the masses.

From Slate • Mar. 31, 2026

Sheryl Sandberg’s Lean In nonprofit has shed about a quarter of its staff as the founder focuses the feminist organization on pushing back against the “tradwife” and manosphere movements that prioritize women’s roles as housewives.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

Jospin, who has two children with his first wife, also remarried that year, to feminist philosopher Sylviane Agacinski.

From Barron's • Mar. 23, 2026

The broadcaster ended her final programme with Helen Reddy's feminist anthem I Am Woman.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

She's a Bengali feminist Catholic wife of a Louisiana black man.

From "You Bring the Distant Near" by Mitali Perkins