pluralism

[ ploor-uh-liz-uhm ]

/ ˈplʊər əˌlɪz əm /

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noun

Philosophy.

a theory that there is more than one basic substance or principle.Compare dualism (def. 2), monism (def. 1a).
a theory that reality consists of two or more independent elements.

Ecclesiastical.

the holding by one person of two or more offices at the same time.
plurality (def. 7a).

Sociology. cultural pluralism.

state or quality of being plural.

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Origin of pluralism

First recorded in 1810–20; plural + -ism

OTHER WORDS FROM pluralism

plu·ral·ist, noun, adjectiveplu·ral·is·tic

[ploor-uh-lis-tik], /ˌplʊər əˈlɪs tɪk/, adjective

Words nearby pluralism

pluot, pluperfect, plupf., PLUR, plural, pluralism, pluralistic, plurality, pluralize, plurally, plural marriage

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

How to use pluralism in a sentence

It is meant to suggest a kind of pluralism in the chambers of power in Moscow, with rival camps of liberals and hawks, oligarchs and generals, pulling the President toward fringe positions, which his decisions balance out.
Putin's Moves Toward War in Ukraine Show How Dangerous He Has Become|Simon Shuster|February 22, 2022|Time
Climate justice needs to be a key facet of the turn toward pluralism in civics and history education.
Why it’s a mistake to teach climate change only in science class|Valerie Strauss|September 22, 2021|Washington Post
Space provided a means of thinking about the challenge of pluralism and the promise of bestowing universal rights because, after all, nobody is more alien than a space alien.
U.S. worries about space aliens and UFOs are older than you think|Gordon Fraser|June 25, 2021|Washington Post
To make this work, accepting pluralism must be the rule, imposing national uniformity the exception.
The search for balance among four Americas|William Galston|June 11, 2021|Washington Post

Not only is he wrong—but the true patriots are the ones standing up for pluralism in America.
Why I’m for the War on Christmas|Asawin Suebsaeng|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
All this makes the pluralism of the modern world a scary, unwelcoming place.
Pew Study: Americans Are Self-Segregating Amid Proliferating Partisan Media|John Avlon|October 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Rent regulation promises true pluralism, an ideal in which the multilingual Needelman has a deeply personal stake.
The Celebrity You've Never Heard Of|Moral Courage|February 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Except for the two-state solution, the only issue that reliably drew applause was religious pluralism in Israel.
We’re Here, We’re Pro-Israel/Pro-Peace, We’re Used to It. Now What?|Jay Michaelson|September 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Would liberals (not to mention what's left of Jewry) in Italy argue that the petitioners furthered "pluralism"?
Women: Talk To The Wall|Bernard Avishai|June 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Was there not a law against this kind of pluralism, tacitly agreed upon by critics, and applied by them with remorseless rigour?
The English Stage|Augustin Filon
Pluralism, not monism, is the fashion of the day, and some carry it almost to polytheism.
Major Prophets of To-Day|Edwin E. Slosson
This kind of pluralism is of course fundamentally incompatible with the presuppositions of my paper.
Outspoken Essays|William Ralph Inge
Pluralism is well ordained in present political practice and demands a modification of hierarchical and monistic theory.
Reconstruction in Philosophy|John Dewey
Pluralism, nepotism, simony and all the other ancient abuses were more rampant than ever.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 5|Various

British Dictionary definitions for pluralism

pluralism

/ (ˈplʊərəˌlɪzəm) /

noun

the holding by a single person of more than one ecclesiastical benefice or office

sociol a theory of society as several autonomous but interdependent groups which either share power or continuously compete for power

the existence in a society of groups having distinctive ethnic origin, cultural forms, religions, etc

a theory that views the power of employers as being balanced by the power of trade unions in industrial relations such that the interests of both sides can be catered for

philosophy

the metaphysical doctrine that reality consists of more than two basic types of substanceCompare monism (def. 2), dualism (def. 2)
the metaphysical doctrine that reality consists of independent entities rather than one unchanging wholeCompare monism (def. 2), absolutism (def. 2b)

Derived forms of pluralism

pluralist, noun, adjectivepluralistic, 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 pluralism

pluralism

A conviction that various religious, ethnic, racial, and political groups should be allowed to thrive in a single society. In metaphysics, pluralism can also mean an alternative to dualism and monism. A pluralist asserts that there are more than two kinds of principles, whereas the dualist maintains there are only two and a monist only one.

pluralism

Origin of pluralism

OTHER WORDS FROM pluralism

Words nearby pluralism

Words related to pluralism

How to use pluralism in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for pluralism

Derived forms of pluralism

Cultural definitions for pluralism