traditionalism
Americannoun
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adherence to tradition as authority, especially in matters of religion.
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a system of philosophy according to which all knowledge of religious truth is derived from divine revelation and received by traditional instruction.
noun
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the doctrine that all knowledge originates in divine revelation and is perpetuated by tradition
-
adherence to tradition, esp in religion
Other Word Forms
- antitraditionalist noun
- nontraditionalist noun
- nontraditionalistic adjective
- traditionalist noun
- traditionalistic adjective
Etymology
Origin of traditionalism
First recorded in 1855–60; traditional + -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.
John Betjeman, for example, was for a time England’s bestselling poet, until his optimism, traditionalism and accessibility earned him the smear of being “retrograde.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026
He made enemies along the way, cracking down on the traditional Latin Mass, which had become associated with dissident traditionalism.
From Slate • Oct. 2, 2025
He was also striving to break away from the box of traditionalism and open up the floor to more unique expressions, and I didn’t know that, of course, as a kid.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 3, 2024
The novel also explores the clash between traditionalism and so-called modernity, a key Achebean concern.
From New York Times • Feb. 7, 2024
This list is particularly heavy on the Hebrew, with a noticeable trend toward Irish traditionalism.
From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt
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.
