: belief in and advocacy of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes expressed especially through organized activity on behalf of women's rights and interests
feminism began in the late 1840s with the campaign for women's suffrage in America. The second wave came in the 1960s with the call for women's "liberation" and equality under the law. A third wave in the 1990s was more rebellious than reformist, more anarchically individualistic than disciplined and legalistic. Some think we are in the midst of a fourth wave, sustained by the internet and social media …The Economist (London)

Examples of feminism in a Sentence

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The case sparked a nationwide discussion about motherhood and feminism throughout the summer. Carter Schroppe, The Washington Examiner, 21 Sep. 2026 At what age does wanting to look good stop being self-care and become a crime against feminism? Danielle Pergament, Allure, 14 Sep. 2026 The following year she was elected to the Italian parliament for the maverick Radical Party, a bastion of anticlericalism, civil libertarianism, feminism, liberalism and radicalism in Italy. ABC News, 11 Sep. 2026 Biller’s films play with camp, feminism, and misogyny in subversive ways. John Ross, Vanity Fair, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for feminism

Word History

Etymology

see feminine entry 1

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of feminism was in 1893

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Cite this Entry

“Feminism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feminism. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.

Kids Definition

1
: the theory supporting the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes
2
: organized activity on behalf of women's rights and interests
feminist noun or adjective

Medical Definition

: the presence of female characteristics in males

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