Maoism

[ mou-iz-uhm ]

/ ˈmaʊ ɪz əm /

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noun

the political, social, economic, and military theories and policies advocated by Mao Zedong, as those concerning revolutionary movements and guerrilla warfare.

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Origin of Maoism

First recorded in 1950–55; Mao (Zedong) + -ism

OTHER WORDS FROM Maoism

Maoist, noun, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Maoism in a sentence

Substantial portions of rural India are under the control of Maoist insurgents.
Farewell to Manmohan Singh, India’s Puppet Prime Minister|Kapil Komireddi|January 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When she was 7, her parents moved to London and then Toronto to escape violent Maoist uprisings in India.
Shooting the Stars With Fashion Photographers Markus and Indrani|Abigail Pesta|November 25, 2012|DAILY BEAST
To help bring the public onboard, authorities vilified the bad old Maoist days.
Gu Kailai’s Murder Trial Evokes Story of Mao’s Widow Jiang Qing|Melinda Liu|August 9, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Maoist threats to take the Third World were having an effect across Southeast Asia.
The Hurt Locker's Greatest Victory|Tunku Varadarajan|March 8, 2010|DAILY BEAST

One can imagine an authentic Maoist radical condemning Jones as a sellout.
Leave Van Jones Alone|Reihan Salam|September 8, 2009|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for Maoism

Maoism

/ (ˈmaʊɪzəm) /

noun

Marxism-Leninism as interpreted by Mao Tse-tung: distinguished by its theory of guerrilla warfare and its emphasis on the revolutionary potential of the peasantry

adherence to or reverence for Mao Tse-tung and his teachings

Derived forms of Maoism

Maoist, noun, 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 Maoism

Maoism

[ (mow-iz-uhm) ]

The doctrines of Mao Zedong, most notably the doctrine that a continuous revolution is necessary if the leaders of a communist state are to be kept in touch with the people. (See Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution.)