pastoralism

noun

pas·​to·​ral·​ism ˈpa-st(ə-)rə-ˌli-zəm 

1

: the quality or style characteristic of pastoral writing

2

a

: livestock raising

b

: social organization based on livestock raising as the primary economic activity

pastoralist

ˈpa-st(ə-)rə-list 

noun or adjective

Examples of pastoralism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One 2024 study of ancient DNA tracked the genetic changes in Europe amid major migrations and the transition to farming and pastoralism. —Kermit Pattison, Scientific American, 20 May 2025

Rather than being constantly on the move, traditional Maasai pastoralism has been more about strategic relocation. —Christine Ro, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2024

For her, this discovery adds to the evidence that nomadic dairy pastoralism has sustained Mongolians for thousands of years. —Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 25 June 2024

Jason King, the dean of the USC Thornton School of Music, says that the lyrics of the song, which are about the life cycle of a flower, evoke pastoralism and nostalgia, which contributes to its appeal. —Cady Lang, TIME, 17 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pastoralism

• activism
• ageism
• albinism
• altruism
• aneurism
• animism
• aphorism
• atomism
• barbarism
• bolshevism
• botulism
• brahmanism