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sectionalism

American  
[sek-shuh-nl-iz-uhm] / ˈsɛk ʃə nlˌɪz əm /

noun

  1. excessive regard for sectional or local interests; regional or local spirit, prejudice, etc.

sectionalism British  
/ ˈsɛkʃənəˌlɪzəm /

noun

  1. excessive or narrow-minded concern for local or regional interests as opposed to the interests of the whole

"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

  • sectionalist noun

Etymology

Origin of sectionalism

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55; sectional + -ism

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

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.