regionalism

[ree-juh-nl-iz-uh m]

See more 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.

Origin of regionalism

First recorded in 1880–85; regional + -ism

Related formsre·gion·al·ist, noun, adjectivere·gion·al·is·tic, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for regionalism

patois, vocabulary, language, accent, idiom, pronunciation, vernacular, lingo, tongue, jargon, terminology, slang, patter, argot, cant, provincialism, localism, regionalism

Examples from the Web for regionalism

Contemporary Examples of regionalism

Regionalism in publishing can be a great spur to revitalization of reading.
5 Ways to Fix Book Publishing
Anis Shivani
July 12, 2013
Regionalism, poverty and well-armed militias pose serious threats.
Libya Slogs Toward Democracy
Fred Abrahams
July 24, 2012
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

Historical Examples of regionalism

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
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

British Dictionary definitions for regionalism

regionalism

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 Formsregionalist, 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

Word Origin and History for regionalism

1878, originally of Italy, "tendency toward regional loyalties" (opposed to nationalism), from regional + -ism. As "a word or phrase of local use" is from 1953.