pluralism

noun

plu·​ral·​ism ˈplu̇r-ə-ˌli-zəm 

1

: the holding of two or more offices or positions (such as benefices) at the same time

2

: the quality or state of being plural

3

a

: a theory that there are more than one or more than two kinds of ultimate reality

b

: a theory that reality is composed of a plurality of entities

4

a

: a state of society in which members of diverse ethnic, racial, religious, or social groups maintain and develop their traditional culture or special interest within the confines of a common civilization

b

: a concept, doctrine, or policy advocating this state

pluralist

ˈplu̇r-ə-list 

adjective or noun

pluralistic

ˌplu̇r-ə-ˈli-stik 

adjective

pluralistically

ˌplu̇r-ə-ˈli-sti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of pluralism in a Sentence

He spoke of the benefits of cultural pluralism.

She's a champion of pluralism.

Recent Examples on the Web

This concern — that the center’s tradition of pluralism, free expression and classical art forms is in jeopardy — has dominated conversation about its future. —Robin Pogrebin, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025

Hillel, which serves Jewish college students, basically has this statement of radical pluralism. —Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 13 Feb. 2025

The nineteenth-century instances of close observation of the natural world on view at the Huntington here gave way to a thoroughly twenty-first-century pluralism. —Red Cameron, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2025

Additional interventions in curriculum and within college admissions will incentivize greater adoption of pluralism. —Manu Meel, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1772, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pluralism

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