liberalism

American  

[lib-er-uh-liz-uhm, lib-ruh-] / ˈlɪb ər əˌlɪz əm, ˈlɪb rə- /

noun

1. the quality or state of being liberal, as in behavior or attitude.

2. a political or social philosophy advocating the freedom of the individual, parliamentary systems of government, nonviolent modification of political, social, or economic institutions to assure unrestricted development in all spheres of human endeavor, and governmental guarantees of individual rights and civil liberties.

3. (sometimes initial capital letter) the principles and practices of a liberal party in politics.

4. a movement in modern Protestantism that emphasizes freedom from tradition and authority, the adjustment of religious beliefs to scientific conceptions, and the development of spiritual capacities.

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liberalism British  

/ ˈlɪbərəˌlɪzəm, ˈlɪbrə- /

noun

1. liberal opinions, practices, or politics

2. a movement in modern Protestantism that rejects biblical authority

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liberalism Cultural  

1. In the twentieth century, a viewpoint or ideology associated with free political institutions and religious toleration, as well as support for a strong role of government in regulating capitalism and constructing the welfare state (see also welfare state).

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Other Word Forms

• antiliberalism
  noun
• antiliberalist
  noun
• liberalist
  noun
• nonliberalism
  noun
• semiliberalism
  noun
• antiliberalistic
  adjective
• liberalistic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of liberalism

First recorded in 1810–20; liberal + -ism

Explanation

Liberalism in politics favors social progress, through the agency of government, while liberalism in economics favors a free and open market, without government interference. Liberalism in contemporary politics is said to fall on the left-hand side of the political spectrum, which is why its adherents are sometimes called, collectively, "the Left." (Adherents of "conservatism" are called "the Right," and they are generally strongly opposed to liberalism.) "Political liberalism," which may favor more government regulation, is not interchangeable with "economic liberalism," which favors less government regulation, a strategy political conservatism often agrees with.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

liberalism

Bardella leans more to the economic liberalism of the traditional right – as shown by his recent contacts with top business executives.

From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2026

So defined, conservatism and liberalism stand on common ground.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 2, 2026

At its best, liberalism in America focuses attention on the gap between principles and practices and mobilizes public support to close these gaps.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 2, 2026

Their conversation explores what liberalism really is at its core, how both the political left and right have drifted into illiberalism, and what ordinary citizens can do to restore faith in liberal principles and institutions.

From Slate ● May 16, 2026

Victor III was far more enlightened, but his liberalism was paternalistic, rooted in noblesse oblige.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

Related Words

• left-winger
• leftist
• liberal
• progressive
• radical