: 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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Historian Lillian Faderman has documented a long history that shows the ways society sought to thwart the goals of feminism by lesbianizing women who rallied for their rights. Stephanie Fairyington, CNN Money, 17 July 2026 Makdisi also found the narrow understanding of female empowerment popularized by second-wave feminism frustrating, particularly the assumption that all women need the same genre of liberation. Literary Hub, 14 July 2026 As an especially commercial form of feminism began to flourish, these sites debated its merits. Jia Tolentino, New Yorker, 11 July 2026 Gwen Stefani’s seemingly subversive (but actually appropriative) pop punk palatable feminism-lite was another touchstone for Elle. Scarlett Harris, IndieWire, 6 July 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 23 Jul. 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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