polycentrism

American

[pol-ee-sen-triz-uhm] / ˌpɒl iˈsɛn trɪz əm /

noun

the doctrine that a plurality of independent centers of leadership, power, or ideology may exist within a single political system, especially Communism.
the fact of having many centers of authority or importance.

the polycentrism of American intellectual life.

polycentrism British

/ ˌpɒlɪˈsɛntrɪzəm /

noun

(formerly) the fact, principle, or advocacy of the existence of more than one guiding or predominant ideological or political centre in a political system, alliance, etc, in the Communist world

"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

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Etymology

Origin of polycentrism

First recorded in 1955–60; polycentr(ic) + -ism

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Polycentrism has a certain slick, seductive air that might fool a few people.

From Time Magazine Archive

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023