patriotism

noun

pa·​tri·​ot·​ism ˈpā-trē-ə-ˌti-zəm 

 chiefly British  ˈpa-

: love for or devotion to one's country

Although poles apart ideologically, they are both unashamed of their patriotism.

—Christopher Hemphill

Synonyms

• nationalism

Examples of patriotism in a Sentence

You may not agree with him politically, but no one can question his patriotism.

They supported the war with a fierce patriotism.

Recent Examples on the Web

That has often worked to the advantage of the party, which uses financial incentives, appeals to patriotism and sometimes threats, such as to their jobs, to mobilize officials and ordinary people alike. —Vivian Wang, New York Times, 25 May 2024

Zionism to many Jewish people means, essentially, patriotism: a political ideology rooted in the establishment — and, later, promotion — of a refuge for Jews who throughout history had to escape pogroms, then a Holocaust aimed at wiping them out. —Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1716, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

patriotism

noun

pa·​tri·​ot·​ism ˈpā-trē-ə-ˌtiz-əm 

: love of one's own country