feminism

noun fem·i·nism \ ˈfe-mə-ˌni-zəm \

|Updated on: 29 Jul 2018

Definition of feminism

1 : the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes

2 : organized activity on behalf of women's rights and interests

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feminist

play \ˈfe-mə-nist\ noun or adjective

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feministic

play \ˌfe-mə-ˈni-stik\ adjective

See feminism defined for English-language learners

See feminism defined for kids

Recent Examples of feminism from the Web

This is sexist, this is ridiculous, this is not feminism.

— kelsey stiegman, Seventeen, "People Are Really Pissed Over Jennifer Lawrence's Dress and She is NOT Having It," 22 Feb. 2018
They are hailed as accomplished, successful icons of feminism and flawless beauty based solely on their achievements in the lucrative field of being related to Donald Trump.

— michael harriot, The Root, "Melania Trump vs. Ivanka Trump: Who Is the Beckiest of Them All?," 22 June 2018
The concept of Islamic feminism, a push for gender equality rooted in Islam, has been around for more than a century.

— taylor luck, The Christian Science Monitor, "Islamist and feminist: A new generation stakes its claim," 18 June 2018
In it, Eurydice talks about gender equality and feminism.

— lucie morris-marr, CNN, "Eurydice Dixon: Tributes and anger as Australia mourns murdered comedian," 15 June 2018
Hall stars as the first female head trader who uses feminism to navigate her male millionaire counterparts while Cheadle plays a self-educated who leads a tough financial firm.

— niki mcgloster, Essence.com, "The Quick Read: White Man Harasses Black Family, Asks If They Showered Before Entering Hotel Pool," 15 June 2018
In 1994, at the age of 25, Qiu moved to Paris to study psychology and feminism under Helene Cixous at the University of Paris VIII.

— ankita chakraborty, Longreads, "A Crocodile In Paris: The Queer Classics of Qiu Miaojin," 8 June 2018
The Vote No team claims that several of their supporters have been criticized, often publicly, for not falling in line and betraying feminism by supporting Persky.

— gabriel baumgaertner, SI.com, "Brock Turner, the 'Athlete Bias,' and the Movement That Produced the Recall of Judge Aaron Persky," 6 June 2018
Over the last 20 years, as feminism has changed, the show has undergone countless critical evolutions.

— bridget read, Vogue, "Sex and the City," 6 June 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of feminism

see ¹feminine

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1841

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Sociology Terms

bourgeois, ethos, eugenics, exurb, incommunicado, intelligentsia, megalopolis, metrosexual, mores, subculture

FEMINISM Defined for English Language Learners

feminism

noun

Definition of feminism for English Language Learners

: the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities
: organized activity in support of women's rights and interests

FEMINISM Defined for Kids

feminism

noun fem·i·nism \ ˈfe-mə-ˌni-zəm \

Definition of feminism for Students

1 : the belief that women and men should have equal rights and opportunities

2 : organized activity on behalf of women's rights and interests

—

feminist

\-nist\ noun or adjective

Medical Dictionary

feminism

noun fem·i·nism \ ˈfem-ə-ˌniz-əm \

medical Definition of feminism

: the presence of female characteristics in males

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See words that rhyme with feminism Spanish Central: Translation of feminism Nglish: Translation of feminism for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of feminism for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about feminism

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Definition of feminism

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Origin and Etymology of feminism

Other Sociology Terms

FEMINISM Defined for English Language Learners

feminism

Definition of feminism for English Language Learners

FEMINISM Defined for Kids

feminism

Definition of feminism for Students

feminist

Medical Dictionary

feminism

medical Definition of feminism

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