liberalism
the quality or state of being liberal, as in behavior or attitude.
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.
(sometimes initial capital letter) the principles and practices of a liberal party in politics.
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.
Origin of liberalism
1Other words from liberalism
- lib·er·al·ist, noun, adjective
- lib·er·al·is·tic, adjective
- an·ti·lib·er·al·ism, noun
- an·ti·lib·er·al·ist, noun, adjective
- an·ti·lib·er·al·is·tic, adjective
- non·lib·er·al·ism, noun
- sem·i·lib·er·al·ism, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use liberalism in a sentence
Henry Brook Parnell, famed as a political writer and liberalist, died by his own hand.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology | Joel MunsellThe method of the Liberalist is good, that of the Prohibitionist chimerical and fanatical.
The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 8 (of 12) | Robert G. Ingersoll
British Dictionary definitions for liberalism
/ (ˈlɪbərəˌlɪzəm, ˈlɪbrə-) /
liberal opinions, practices, or politics
a movement in modern Protestantism that rejects biblical authority
Derived forms of liberalism
- liberalist, noun, adjective
- liberalistic, 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
Cultural definitions for liberalism
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).
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.
Browse