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

See Examples For:

pastoralism

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

Evidence for dairying now corresponds with the earliest evidence for domesticated herd animals on the Tibetan Plateau, which suggests dairying and pastoralism spread together in this region.

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

Nomadic pastoralism remains central to Kazakh mythology — Nazarbayev describes himself as “the son, grandson and great-grandson of herders” — but as a practice it has retreated to the periphery of the country’s economy.

From New York Times ● Jan. 30, 2019

“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