localism
|lo-cal-ism|
🇺🇸
/ˈloʊkəlɪzəm/
🇬🇧
/ˈləʊkəlɪz(ə)m/
focus on the local
Etymology
'localism' originates from English, formed by the adjective 'local' + the suffix '-ism', where 'local' ultimately comes from Latin 'locus' meaning 'place' and the suffix '-ism' denotes a practice or ideology.
'local' comes from Latin 'locus' via Late Latin/Old French into Middle English; the modern English noun 'localism' was formed in English by combining 'local' with '-ism' (19th century usage attested) to name doctrines or practices centered on locality.
Initially related broadly to 'the state or quality of being local' and 'belonging to a place'; over time it evolved to refer specifically to doctrines, policies, or tendencies that favor local control or local distinctiveness.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a policy or attitude that gives priority to local people, local control, or local interests over national or central authority.
Localism in the council's policies has led to more funding for small local businesses.
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Noun 2
a political philosophy or movement that emphasizes local control, local autonomy, and decisions made at a local level.
The campaign promoted localism as a way to resist distant bureaucratic control.
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Noun 3
the use or preference for local speech forms, expressions, or cultural traits in linguistics and cultural contexts.
The poet's use of localism gives the work a strong regional flavor.
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Last updated: 2025/10/18 18:04