patriotism

noun

pa·​tri·​ot·​ism ˈpā-trē-ə-ˌti-zəm 

 chiefly British  ˈpa-

: love for or devotion to one's country

Although poles apart ideologically, they are both unashamed of their patriotism.

—Christopher Hemphill

Synonyms

• nationalism

Examples of patriotism in a Sentence

You may not agree with him politically, but no one can question his patriotism.

They supported the war with a fierce patriotism.

Recent Examples on the Web

The scholarship, which recognizes a student that demonstrates the qualities of bravery, patriotism, individuality and kindness, is in conjunction with the Grossmont Union High School District. —John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2024

Dipset’s American flag outfits are modern Black music’s closest examples of overt patriotism. —Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2024

My hope is that the American Right, broadly speaking, will recover a decent understanding of strength — and of patriotism and other things. —Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 18 Mar. 2024

Hindenburg, knowing of Hitler’s genuinely courageous military service in the Great War, appealed in their meetings to his patriotism, his love of the Fatherland. —Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2024

Simply tapping into Ukrainian spirit and patriotism — and anger at President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia — worked at the beginning of the war because of the wave of solidarity that swept over the country. —Daria Mitiuk, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2024

Rosanne Barr: San Diego Padres vs. Cincinatti Reds 1990 One year before Houston's last gasp of unbridled patriotism, the sports world caught a glimpse of the coming wave of cynicism that would define the 1990's. —James Powel, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2024

Many Ukrainian women have felt a deep sense of patriotism and duty to jumpstart the economy, while salon patrons get their hair cut and nails done to take control—and find normalcy—in an unstable time. —Longreads, 1 Mar. 2024

The Kansas House is weighing legislation to bar state universities from requiring job applicants to support or oppose statements about diversity, equity, inclusion or patriotism. —Katie Bernard, Kansas City Star, 1 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1716, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

patriotism

noun

pa·​tri·​ot·​ism ˈpā-trē-ə-ˌtiz-əm 

: love of one's own country