provincialism

noun

pro·​vin·​cial·​ism prə-ˈvin(t)-shə-ˌli-zəm How to pronounce provincialism (audio)
1
: a dialectal or local word, phrase, or idiom
2
: the quality or state of being provincial

Examples of provincialism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But the return of a mysterious young woman Sandra (Roxane Mesquida), a scowling blonde sporting a leg brace and a rock’n’roll air of disdain for her hometown’s provincialism, expands Naw’s horizons suddenly. Jessica Kiang, Variety, 30 May 2025 This was the mid-nineteen-sixties, when Canada was coming out of that provincialism and into its own. Bill McKibben, The New Yorker, 7 Mar. 2025 Such provincialism results in little or no coordination between ministries and undermines the capacity for broad strategic planning and implementation -- both of which are necessary to solve the country’s infrastructure and services deficits. Raad Alkadiri, Foreign Affairs, 3 Mar. 2011 These developments are good news for the overall stability of the western Balkans, a region still mired in sectarianism and provincialism. Jasmin Mujanovic, Foreign Affairs, 6 Sep. 2017 See All Example Sentences for provincialism

Word History

First Known Use

1770, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of provincialism was in 1770

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Cite this Entry

“Provincialism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/provincialism. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

provincialism

noun
pro·​vin·​cial·​ism prə-ˈvin-chə-ˌliz-əm How to pronounce provincialism (audio)
1
: a local word, phrase, or idiom
2
: the quality or state of being provincial

More from Merriam-Webster on provincialism

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