feminism

noun fem·i·nism \ ˈfe-mə-ˌni-zəm \

|Updated on: 12 Aug 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

—

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

Yet its brazen feminism reclaims for the artist, and perhaps for women in general, the power to name their own terms.

— charles desmarais, SFChronicle.com, "Charles Desmarais’ art picks for June 24," 22 June 2018
The soon-to-debut Paramount Network series stars Silverstone as a newly-single mom raising her daughters amid the rise of second-wave feminism in the '70s.

— refinery29.com, "Alicia Silverstone Is So Much More Than Cher Horowitz," 6 June 2018
Luz Andrea Diaz brought hers to life with some Chicana feminism and word balloons.

— rené a. guzman, San Antonio Express-News, "Meet the Super Chikis, the new super girls from San Antonio," 8 Feb. 2018
Many wore on their heads what became the de-facto symbol of feminism in 2017, the pink pussyhat.

— kristen jordan shamus, Detroit Free Press, "Pink pussyhats: The reason feminists are ditching them," 10 Jan. 2018
Wiginton is a writer and photographer focusing on issues related to health, psychology and feminism.

— author: keri wiginton, Anchorage Daily News, "I tried mindfulness to quit drinking. It actually worked.," 7 Jan. 2018
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

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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feminism

Definition of feminism

feminist

feministic

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Recent Examples of feminism from the Web

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

Learn More about feminism

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