internationalism

noun

in·​ter·​na·​tion·​al·​ism ˌin-tər-ˈna-sh(ə-)nə-ˌli-zəm 

1

: international character, principles, interests, or outlook

2

a

: a policy of cooperation among nations

b

: an attitude or belief favoring such a policy

internationalist

ˌin-tər-ˈna-sh(ə-)nə-list 

noun or adjective

Examples of internationalism in a Sentence

a proponent of economic internationalism

Recent Examples on the Web

What are the biggest challenges facing the city of Fort Worth?: The importance of the fight for Black liberation in the U.S., internationalism with our brothers and sisters in the world, not the nationalism of the Democratic and Republican parties. —Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025

The history of Food for Peace exemplifies the value of internationalism and humanitarian endeavors in the making of American foreign policy. — Made By History, Time, 23 Apr. 2025

The result: a hard pivot away from liberal internationalism and toward protectionism and border controls. —Michael Beckley, Foreign Affairs, 16 Apr. 2025

What is needed now is a new internationalism: a realist internationalism. —Anatol Lieven, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1843, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for internationalism

• abolitionism
• aldosteronism
• americanism
• anticommunism
• antisemitism
• antiterrorism
• bioterrorism
• colloquialism
• colonialism
• consequentialism
• contextualism
• conventionalism

Kids Definition

internationalism

noun

in·​ter·​na·​tion·​al·​ism ˌint-ər-ˈnash-nəl-ˌiz-əm 

-ˈnash-ən-ᵊl-

: a policy of cooperation among nations or an attitude favoring such a policy

internationalist

-əst 

noun or adjective