traditionalism

[ truh-dish-uh-nl-iz-uh m ]

/ trəˈdɪʃ ə nlˌɪz əm /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR traditionalism ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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.

Nearby words

traditional logic, traditional marriage, traditional option, traditional policy, traditional weapon, traditionalism, traditionalist, traditionalize, traditionally, traditionary, traditionist

Origin of traditionalism

First recorded in 1855–60; traditional + -ism

Related forms

tra·di·tion·al·ist, noun, adjectivetra·di·tion·al·is·tic, adjectivean·ti·tra·di·tion·al·ist, noun, adjectivenon·tra·di·tion·al·ist, noun, adjective

non·tra·di·tion·al·is·tic, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for traditionalist

Before I could even finish my sentence with the word “traditionalist,” Brooks laughed.
I'm Not Country or Pop. I'm Just Pure Garth Brooks.|David Masciotra|September 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Traditionalist arguments make no sense to them, from their first principles.
What's Marriage's Future?|Justin Green|February 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Despite his aesthetic eccentricities, Browne is adamant that he is a traditionalist at heart.
Designer Thom Browne Honored at White House With 2012 Cooper-Hewitt Award Winners|Robin Givhan|July 13, 2012|DAILY BEAST
She claims she will be remembered as the “frozen-yogurt justice” for bringing the traditionalist canteen into the 21st century.
11 Wacky Supreme Court Facts: Frozen-Yogurt Justice, Scalia and Ginsburg Friendship, & More|Sarah Hedgecock|June 26, 2012|DAILY BEAST

South Carolinians are, on the whole, a God-fearing, loyal, polite, traditionalist and often, cagey people.
South Carolina’s School of Conservatism|Scott Stenholm|January 16, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The traditionalist would have said, by documents miraculously confirmed.
Edward Caldwell Moore|Edward Moore
His course, bold even to the point of rashness in the eyes of the traditionalist exegetists, was at length suspended.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 8|Various
Naturally, then, the last still existent school of traditionalist protest was launched in his name.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 17, Slice 4|Various
They were the researchers in spiritual things, and he the traditionalist.
The Conflict of Religions in the Early Roman Empire|T. R. Glover
Every man carries a rationalist and a traditionalist under his skin.
The Expositor's Bible: Colossians and Philemon|Alexander Maclaren

British Dictionary definitions for traditionalist

traditionalism

/ (trəˈdɪʃənəˌlɪzəm) /

noun

the doctrine that all knowledge originates in divine revelation and is perpetuated by tradition

adherence to tradition, esp in religion

Derived Forms

traditionalist, noun, adjectivetraditionalistic, 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