nationalism

American  

[nash-uh-nl-iz-uhm, nash-nuh-liz-] / ˈnæʃ ə nlˌɪz əm, ˈnæʃ nəˌlɪz- /

noun

1. spirit or aspirations common to the whole of a nation.

   He describes how the intense and unconquerable nationalism of India’s hundreds of millions contributed to the decline of the British empire.

2. devotion and loyalty to one's own country; patriotism.

   The promotion of a healthy nationalism is part of the responsibility of the leaders of a newly independent, diverse nation.

3. excessive patriotism; chauvinism.

   This kind of nationalism, intolerance, or imperialism seems to occur even in the best democracies.

4. the desire for national advancement or political independence.

   A surge in Quebec nationalism led to the formation of the Parti Québécois, which was committed to a political route to Quebec independence.

5. the policy or doctrine of asserting the interests of one's own nation viewed as separate from the interests of other nations or of the international community.

   There’s a struggle between integration and global values on the one hand, and uncompromising nationalism on the other.

6. an idiom or trait peculiar to a nation.

7. a movement, as in the arts, based upon the folk idioms, history, aspirations, etc., of a nation.

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nationalism British  

/ ˈnæʃnə-, ˈnæʃənəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. a sentiment based on common cultural characteristics that binds a population and often produces a policy of national independence or separatism

2. loyalty or devotion to one's country; patriotism

3. exaggerated, passionate, or fanatical devotion to a national community See also chauvinism

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nationalism Cultural  

1. The strong belief that the interests of a particular nation-state are of primary importance. Also, the belief that a people who share a common language, history, and culture should constitute an independent nation, free of foreign domination.

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Nationalism is opposed to colonialism and imperialism.

Other Word Forms

• antinationalism
  noun
• nationalist
  noun
• nationalistic
  adjective
• nonnationalism
  noun
• pronationalism
  noun
• seminationalism
  noun

Etymology

Origin of nationalism

First recorded in 1830–40; national ( def. ) + -ism ( def. )

Explanation

Nationalism is the belief that your own country is better than all others. Sometimes nationalism makes people not want to work with other countries to solve shared problems. It is important not to confuse nationalism with patriotism. Patriotism is a healthy pride in your country that brings about feelings of loyalty and a desire to help other citizens. Nationalism is the belief that your country is superior, without question or doubt. In some cases, nationalism can inspire people to break free of a foreign oppressor, as in the American Revolution, but nationalism can also lead a country to cut itself off from the rest of the world.

Example Sentences

The state was home to some of the forebears of Hindu nationalism, including the first president of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the predecessor to the BJP.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

A few hundred people thrashed to a performance by the Irish rap group Kneecap, one of whose members wore a kaffiyeh — the scarf symbolizing Palestinian nationalism.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2026

Negar Mortazavi, a senior fellow at the left-leaning Center for International Policy, said that the attacks fueled greater nationalism and unity among Iranians.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

In 1989-90, he criticised the rapid absorption of East Germany into the West, fearing a revival of nationalism and expressing support for a more gradual process.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026

African nationalism was our battle cry, and our creed was the creation of one nation out of many tribes, the overthrow of white supremacy, and the establishment of a truly democratic form of government.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

• fanaticism
• jingoism