collectivism

noun

col·​lec·​tiv·​ism kə-ˈlek-ti-ˌvi-zəm How to pronounce collectivism (audio)
1
: a political or economic theory advocating collective control especially over production and distribution
also : a system marked by such control
2
: emphasis on collective rather than individual action or identity
collectivist adjective or noun
collectivistic adjective
collectivistically adverb

Examples of collectivism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Some cross-cultural psychologists point to Eastern collectivism and Western individualism to explain such results, but Frank remains agnostic. Nora Bradford, Scientific American, 22 Aug. 2025 Between collectivism and capitalism. Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025 Perhaps co-ops remain scarce elsewhere because real-estate collectivism makes some people suspicious. Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 11 Aug. 2025 In addition, Brown draws on Black traditions of culture and collectivism to mobilize communities. Essence, 6 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for collectivism

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French collectivisme, from collectif collective entry 1 + -isme -ism

First Known Use

1857, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of collectivism was in 1857

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Cite this Entry

“Collectivism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/collectivism. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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