regionalism

noun

re·​gion·​al·​ism ˈrēj-nə-ˌli-zəm 

ˈrē-jə-nə-ˌli-

1

a

: consciousness of and loyalty to a distinct region with a homogeneous population

b

: development of a political or social system based on one or more such areas

2

: emphasis on regional locale and characteristics in art or literature

3

: a characteristic feature (as of speech) of a geographic area

regionalist

ˈrēj-nə-list 

ˈrē-jə-nə-list

noun or adjective

regionalistic

ˌrēj-nə-ˈli-stik 

ˌrē-jə-nə-ˈli-

adjective

Examples of regionalism in a Sentence

The residents have a strong sense of regionalism.

The word “pop” for “soda” is a Midwest regionalism.

Recent Examples on the Web

But European regionalism has always also included ethnic and cultural elements connected to Christianity and whiteness. —Hans Kundnani, Foreign Affairs, 10 Sep. 2024

But regionalism in Connecticut, Yankees don’t want to hear that. —Alison Cross, Hartford Courant, 17 June 2024

Many Libyans argue that regionalism is exaggerated, and a recent survey from the University of Benghazi found that a majority of Libyans support a unified state. —Lindsay Benstead, Foreign Affairs, 6 Aug. 2013

Mass media and corporate marketing spelled an end to regionalism, creating an artificial culture that can be mass-produced and mass-marketed. —Joel Selvin, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Nov. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

regionalism

noun

re·​gion·​al·​ism ˈrēj-nəl-ˌiz-əm 

-ən-ᵊl-

1

: the quality of being conscious of and loyal to a particular region

2

: the practice of using a particular region as the setting in art or literature

3

: an individual quality (as of speech) of a geographic area

regionalist

-əst 

noun or adjective

regionalistic

ˌrēj-nəl-ˈis-tik 

-ən-ᵊl-

adjective