nomadism

noun

no·​mad·​ism ˈnōˌmaˌdizəm How to pronounce nomadism (audio)
plural -s
1
: the mode of life of a nomadic people
pastoral nomadism
2
: the mode of life or behavior of an individual that roams about aimlessly or without any fixed pattern of movement
specifically : vagrancy
sometimes a roaming instinct—the trait of nomadism—appears J. A. O'Brien
incidence of nomadism—about twice as frequent in the broken home group Nathan Blackman

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

  1. Expanded definitions
  2. Detailed etymologies
  3. Advanced search tools
  4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nomadism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nomadism. Accessed 15 Dec. 2025.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!