feminism

noun

fem·i·nism | \ ˈfe-mə-ˌni-zəm

How to pronounce feminism (audio)

\

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

Other Words from feminism Example Sentences Learn More about feminism

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from feminism

feminist \ ˈfe-mə-nist

\ noun or adjective

feministic \ ˌfe-mə-ˈni-stik

\ adjective

Examples of feminism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Also, a decade that saw the rise of third-wave feminism and a movement like grunge that championed women’s rights and power should have a woman for a spokesperson, rather than a man. — Lisawhill, Longreads, "Live Through This: Courtney Love at 55," 9 July 2019 There’s a world where this storyline ends up being a savage take on the self-satisfied piety of white feminism. — Emily Todd Vanderwerff, Vox, "The Handmaid’s Tale has completely lost sight of its protagonist," 3 July 2019 To many of us, watching the 2020 race unfold has felt less like a celebration of rah-rah feminism and more like a daily, live-tweeted, televised pelting by the patriarchy. — Brian Stelter, CNN, "Famed photographer Annie Leibovitz takes portraits of five women running for president," 2 July 2019 Making her own choices and embracing her feminism head-on also led her to launch Kode With Klossy in 2015, a nonprofit that hosts learning experiences to help girls pursue their passions and empower young women to become involved in tech. — Claudia Harmata, PEOPLE.com, "Karlie Kloss Says She Ended Her Contract with Victoria's Secret Because It Didn't 'Reflect' Who She Was," 2 July 2019 The work of a twentysomething woman named Lindy West — often focused on cultural criticism and feminism — stood out among the best. — Colette Aboussouan, Allure, "Lindy West: How to Write a Revolution," 20 June 2019 There are also interesting sidebars throughout the book about topics like how far women have come in education, women’s suffrage around the world and second-wave feminism. — Amy Schwabe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "12 books that tell kids the fun and inspirational stories behind the women's suffrage movement," 6 June 2019 Her art changed the way many see feminism and emboldened women from all backgrounds. — Erika Ryan, CNN, "Courage and sacrifice: 6 activists behind LGBTQ progress," 26 June 2019 Free Love was a robust, national, often middle-class phenomenon that emerged from utopian socialism, early feminism and the deep American tradition of resistance to government. — Michael Bronski, Time, "The Radical Woman Whose 19th Century Ideas Still Undergird the LGBTQ-Rights Movement," 25 June 2019

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.

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for feminism

feminism

noun

English Language Learners Definition of feminism

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

: organized activity in support of women's rights and interests

See the full definition for feminism in the English Language Learners Dictionary

feminism

noun

fem·i·nism | \ ˈfe-mə-ˌni-zəm

\

Kids Definition of feminism

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

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

feminism

noun

fem·i·nism | \ ˈfem-ə-ˌniz-əm

\

Medical Definition of feminism

: the presence of female characteristics in males

Keep scrolling for more

WORD OF THE DAY

auxiliary

providing supplementary assistance

Test Your Vocabulary

Farm Idioms Quiz

What does 'poke' refer to in the expression 'pig in a poke'?

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ