1 regionalism | Definition of regionalism

regionalism

noun
re·​gion·​al·​ism | \ ˈrēj-nə-ˌli-zəm How to pronounce regionalism (audio) , ˈrē-jə-nə-ˌli-\

Definition of regionalism

1a : consciousness of and loyalty to a distinct region with a homogeneous population
b : development of a political or social system based on one or more such areas
2 : emphasis on regional locale and characteristics in art or literature
3 : a characteristic feature (as of speech) of a geographic area

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Other Words from regionalism

regionalist \ ˈrēj-​nə-​list How to pronounce regionalist (audio) , ˈrē-​jə-​nə-​list \ noun or adjective
regionalistic \ ˌrēj-​nə-​ˈli-​stik How to pronounce regionalistic (audio) , ˌrē-​jə-​nə-​ˈli-​ \ adjective

Examples of regionalism in a Sentence

The residents have a strong sense of regionalism. The word “pop” for “soda” is a Midwest regionalism.

Recent Examples on the Web

More regionalism of Mexican and Chinese and Japanese and Indian cuisines? Los Angeles Times, "Los Angeles is a fantastic pastry town. Here are four places our critic loves.," 31 Aug. 2019 The cover features a photo of a white couple, evoking American Gothic in its artistic regionalism. Marlo Safi, National Review, "A Raw Look at the New ‘Other Half’," 29 June 2019 Today, the outside-the-box approach has increasingly become an unimpressive ambition: styles naturally cross-pollinate in the internet’s post-regionalism era. Brian Josephs, EW.com, "Lil Nas X goes through the motions on debut EP 7," 21 June 2019 This regionalism has been staring us in the face all along. Joseph C. Sternberg, WSJ, "Europe’s ‘Nationalism’ Turns Out to Be Local," 9 May 2019 This week’s newsmakers also reflect the show’s growing regionalism: the Kia Telluride, with eight seats and 3.8-liter V6, is yet another wide-body, three-row SUV destined to take up two parking spaces at America’s malls. Dan Neil, WSJ, "Big Questions—and a Few Answers—Coming Out of the Detroit Auto Show," 17 Jan. 2019 The president believes this is about judicial philosophy, constitutionalism, regionalism versus judicial activism. Fox News, "Senate fight awaits Trump's Supreme Court pick," 10 July 2018 Power is diffuse — the rise of globalism and regionalism and, its equal and opposite reaction, nativism, compounded by corporations beholden to no state, non-state actors with no morality, and mass movements with no leaders. Barbara K. Bodine, San Francisco Chronicle, "‘War on Peace,’ by Ronan Farrow," 17 May 2018 In a country where officials are often suspicious of regionalism, club bosses are trying to appeal to the pride of Cantonese speakers. The Economist, "A Chinese football club seeks to be the new Barcelona," 17 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'regionalism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of regionalism

1871, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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More Definitions for regionalism

regionalism

noun

English Language Learners Definition of regionalism

: interest in or loyalty to a particular region
: a word that is used in a particular region

More from Merriam-Webster on regionalism

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with regionalism