pastoralism

American  

[pas-ter-uh-liz-uhm, pah-ster-] / ˈpæs tər əˌlɪz əm, ˈpɑ stər- /

noun

1. the practice of herding as the primary economic activity of a society.

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Etymology

Origin of pastoralism

First recorded in 1850–55; pastoral + -ism

Explanation

Pastoralism is a kind of work that's done in a rural setting. A town with an economy based in pastoralism might have a higher population of farm animals than people. You can also use this noun for a style of art that focuses on farms and other features of rural living. Both meanings of pastoralism stem from the Latin word pastor, or "shepherd." The type of work a shepherd does is a perfect example of pastoralism, as is a painting of a shepherd in the fields with a flock of sheep.

Example Sentences

The fluvial suspended sediment threatens the water quality downstream and thus the aquatic ecosystems, the river infrastructure such as hydropower plants and bridges as well as agriculture and pastoralism.

From Science Daily • Dec. 4, 2024

Future work on the plateau will be vital to understanding how the human adoption of pastoralism and dairying reshaped Tibet's landscapes.

From Salon • Apr. 13, 2023

These lands also have deep cultural significance based on their role in pastoralism or fire practices.

From Scientific American • Mar. 3, 2023

There is still a green thread of pastoralism, with Delius, Butterworth and Bax all represented, and Mr. Elder seems most comfortable in that idiom.

From New York Times • Jun. 15, 2018

“Got to do with art or pastoralism or something. That’s how I gotta tie together John Donne and Izaak Walton, see.”

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt