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regionalism

[ ree-juh-nl-iz-uhm ]

/ ˈri dʒə nlˌɪz əm /

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See synonyms for regionalism on Thesaurus.com

noun

Government. the principle or system of dividing a city, state, etc., into separate administrative regions.

advocacy of such a principle or system.

a speech form, expression, custom, or other feature peculiar to or characteristic of a particular area.

devotion to the interests of one's own region.

Literature. the theory or practice of emphasizing the regional characteristics of locale or setting, as by stressing local speech.

(often initial capital letter) a style of American painting developed chiefly 1930–40 in which subject matter was derived principally from rural areas.

VIDEO FOR REGIONALISM

How Do You Say This Word In Your Part Of The Country?

Have you ever heard a phrase said in a different part of the country, and it's said in just a slightly different way than how you say it back home? Those different phrases are called regionalisms. Do you use any in your state?

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of regionalism

First recorded in 1880–85; regional + -ism

OTHER WORDS FROM regionalism

re·gion·al·ist, noun, adjectivere·gion·al·is·tic, adjective

Words nearby regionalism

Reginald, Regiomontanus, region, regional, regional enteritis, regionalism, regionalize, regional metamorphism, Regis, régisseur, register

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

How to use regionalism in a sentence

Canadian politics scholars would point out that in Canada, regional identities are often stronger than national partisan identities, and this regionalism has kept Canadian politics more moderate.
Why The Two-Party System Is Effing Up U.S. Democracy|Lee Drutman (drutman@newamerica.org)|June 16, 2021|FiveThirtyEight
Regionalism in publishing can be a great spur to revitalization of reading.
5 Ways to Fix Book Publishing|Anis Shivani|July 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Regionalism, poverty and well-armed militias pose serious threats.
Libya Slogs Toward Democracy|Fred Abrahams|July 24, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The country is riven by tribalism, regionalism and a host of armed militias who so far have refused to disarm.
A Ray of Light in Islamist Gloom|Benny Morris|July 17, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Here another word of explanation is necessary to show clearly the precise meaning of regionalism in China.
The Fight For The Republic in China|Bertram Lenox Putnam Weale
The hope of regional literature lies in out-growing regionalism itself.
Guide to Life and Literature of the Southwest|J. Frank Dobie
Much of it cannot be segregated; the earthworm, on which Darwin wrote a book, knows nothing of regionalism.
Guide to Life and Literature of the Southwest|J. Frank Dobie
That is simply the problem as to the limits of political regionalism.
The Unity of Civilization|Various

British Dictionary definitions for regionalism

regionalism

/ (ˈriːdʒənəˌlɪzəm) /

noun

division of a country into administrative regions having partial autonomy

advocacy of such division

loyalty to one's home region; regional patriotism

the common interests of national groups, people, etc, living in the same part of the world

a word, custom, accent, or other characteristic associated with a specific region

Derived forms of regionalism

regionalist, noun, 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