traditionalism
Americannoun
-
adherence to tradition as authority, especially in matters of religion.
-
a system of philosophy according to which all knowledge of religious truth is derived from divine revelation and received by traditional instruction.
noun
-
the doctrine that all knowledge originates in divine revelation and is perpetuated by tradition
-
adherence to tradition, esp in religion
Other Word Forms
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
These efforts to make women responsible for men’s bad acts are as old as Adam, Eve, and the apple, and are a perverse sort of marital traditionalism.
From Slate • Jun. 1, 2024
"It appears the Pope perceives Burke as fostering a cult of personality, centred around traditionalism or regressive ideals. This action seems aimed at limiting Burke's influence by severing his ties to Rome."
From BBC • Nov. 29, 2023
While she still plans to shirk the traditionalism of a wedding, she said she wants to get married “sooner rather than later.”
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 27, 2023
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.
