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traditionalism
/trəˈdɪʃənəlɪzəm/
adherence to tradition
The village's traditionalism preserved its ancient customs for centuries.
The community's strong commitment to old traditions kept its heritage alive.
formal
The practice of following long-established customs, beliefs, or ways of life without change.
In many rural communities, traditionalism is deeply tied to religious practices.
Local traditions and religious rituals are often inseparable in these areas.
The political party's platform emphasized traditionalism over progressive reforms.
Their policies prioritized maintaining historical values rather than adopting new ideas.
Traditionalism often resists modern innovations or societal changes.
Collocations
strict traditionalismrigid adherence to traditionscultural traditionalismpreservation of cultural heritagereligious traditionalismstrict following of religious customs
Pro Tip
Avoiding confusion with 'tradition'
'Traditionalism' emphasizes the *practice* of following traditions, while 'tradition' refers to the customs themselves. For example, 'the tradition of tea ceremonies' vs. 'the traditionalism of preserving tea ceremonies'.
Gold Rule
Context matters
Traditionalism in religion (e.g., strict adherence to scripture) differs from traditionalism in politics (e.g., favoring established institutions). Always consider the domain.
Word Origin
From 'tradition' (Latin *traditio*, meaning 'handing over' or 'delivery') + '-ism' (suffix denoting a doctrine or practice). First recorded in English in the early 19th century.
Usage Notes
Traditionalism is often used in cultural, religious, or political contexts to describe resistance to change. It can carry neutral or positive connotations when referring to heritage preservation, but negative connotations when implying resistance to necessary progress.
Word Breakdown
tradition
long-established custom or belief
root-ism
doctrine or practice
suffixEnglish Dictionary