feminism
noun
fem·i·nism
ˈfe-mə-ˌni-zəm 
: belief in and advocacy of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes expressed especially through organized activity on behalf of women's rights and interests
… feminism began in the late 1840s with the campaign for women's suffrage in America. The second wave came in the 1960s with the call for women's "liberation" and equality under the law. A third wave in the 1990s was more rebellious than reformist, more anarchically individualistic than disciplined and legalistic. Some think we are in the midst of a fourth wave, sustained by the internet and social media …—
The Economist (London)
The Economist (London)Examples of feminism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
What emerges is a portrait of Stanton not as a paragon of feminism but as a deeply peculiar person—one whose combination of vision and hubris happened to change history.
—Moira Donegan, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026
In reality, these online communities often promote harmful attitudes and ideologies, which position feminism—that is, the pursuit of gender equality—as a direct threat to men’s sociopolitical status and well-being.
—Lucy Morgan, Glamour, 13 Mar. 2026
Penélope Cruz’s character’s girlboss feminism!
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026
The 19th Amendment guaranteed women's suffrage, and successive waves of feminism led to an expansion of their rights and opportunities.
—Kenji Yoshino, Time, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for feminism
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Moira Donegan, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026
In reality, these online communities often promote harmful attitudes and ideologies, which position feminism—that is, the pursuit of gender equality—as a direct threat to men’s sociopolitical status and well-being.
—Lucy Morgan, Glamour, 13 Mar. 2026
Penélope Cruz’s character’s girlboss feminism!
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026
The 19th Amendment guaranteed women's suffrage, and successive waves of feminism led to an expansion of their rights and opportunities.
—Kenji Yoshino, Time, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for feminism
Cite this Entry
“Feminism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feminism. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
feminism
noun
fem·i·nism
ˈfem-ə-ˌniz-əm
1
: the theory supporting the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes
2
: organized activity on behalf of women's rights and interests
Medical Definition
feminism
noun
fem·i·nism
ˈfem-ə-ˌniz-əm
: the presence of female characteristics in males
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