feminism

noun

fem·​i·​nism ˈfe-mə-ˌni-zəm 

: 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

feministic

ˌfe-mə-ˈni-stik 

adjective

Examples of feminism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

At first glance, this might seem hard to reconcile with feminism. —Sigal Samuel, Vox, 6 Apr. 2025

The survey also noted a decline in Americans' identifying with feminism, with 35 percent of Americans identifying as feminists. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025

Dunlap has turned her passion for blending financial literacy with feminism into a successful podcast and a New York Times-bestselling book. —Tori Dunlap, Glamour, 25 Feb. 2025

After Schneider’s death in 2011, her allegation became fodder for the Me Too movement’s manipulation of feminism, part of the media campaign taking down Harvey Weinstein, Bill Cosby, Brett Kavanaugh, plus Brando and Bertolucci. —Armond White, National Review, 28 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see feminine entry 1

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing feminism

• trans exclusionary radical feminism

Rhymes for feminism

• autism
• fascism
• racism
• sikhism
• statism
• sufism
• thomism
• tourism
• tropism
• abolitionism
• aldosteronism
• americanism

Kids Definition

feminism

noun

fem·​i·​nism ˈfem-ə-ˌniz-əm 

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

-nəst 

noun or adjective

feministic

ˌfem-ə-ˈnis-tik 

adjective

Medical Definition

feminism

noun

fem·​i·​nism ˈfem-ə-ˌniz-əm 

: the presence of female characteristics in males