language note: The spelling Conservatism is also used for meaning [sense 1].
1. uncountable noun
Conservatism is a political philosophy which believes that if changes need to be made to society, they should be made gradually. You can also refer to the political beliefs of a conservative party in a particular country as Conservatism.
...the philosophy of modern Conservatism.
2. uncountable noun
Conservatism is unwillingness to accept changes and new ideas.
The conservatism of the literary establishment in this country is astounding. [+ of]
conservatism in British English
(kənˈsɜːvəˌtɪzəm)
noun
1.
opposition to change and innovation
2.
a political philosophy advocating the preservation of the best of the established order in society and opposing radical change
Conservatism in British English
(kənˈsɜːvəˌtɪzəm)
noun(in Britain, Canada, etc)
1.
the form of conservatism advocated by the Conservative Party
2.
the policies, doctrines, or practices of the Conservative Party
conservatism in American English
(kənˈsɜrvəˌtɪzəm)
noun
the principles and practices of a conservative person or party; tendency to oppose change in institutions and methods
Examples of 'conservatism' in a sentence
conservatism
On corporation tax, on the northern powerhouse, the page towards a new chapter in conservatism has been lifted but not quite turned.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Has religious conservatism drifted into something sinister?
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The great political virtue of conservatism always used to be its lack of rigidity.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Classics may serve as a bulwark of intellectual and social conservatism.
The Times Literary Supplement (2012)
One argument contends that religious and political conservatism is merely false consciousness manufactured by economic and political elites.
Christianity Today (2000)
The defining idea for this new conservatism is empowerment of the little guy against the big and powerful.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It may also have something to do with the social conservatism of many of the peoplewho have come here.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Yet some think it is the future of modern Conservatism.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The third goal of modern, progressive conservatism is the recapitalisation of the poor.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
In American society such conservatism in religion is widespread.
Greeley, Andrew M. Sociology and Religion: A Collection of Readings (1995)
And this helps explain the broader problem with American conservatism right now.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
This is the image of new Conservatism.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The redesign was intended to represent a new, greener conservatism.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
But having promised a modern conservatism, the compromises needed to keep the coalition afloat have blurred her policies.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
In large part this was a product of the ideology of the force, which was one of unambiguous social conservatism.
Shubert, Adrian A Social History of Modern Spain (1991)
He too has appealed to the majority on the grounds of its social conservatism, has imagined foreign conspiracies and has interfered with the judiciary.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
But no amount of framing could escape America's religious conservatism.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Modern Conservatism still hasn't found a successor to this sort of thing.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Yes, you can try to appeal to the religious right by citing Hispanic social conservatism.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
It's also economic - the conservatism of huge new money.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Political conservatism, the third form, differs from these other varieties in at least one important respect.
Blinkhorn, Martin (ed) Fascists and Conservatives (1990)
Would stem-cell medicine have been more advanced by now if the conscience of American social conservatism had not stood in its way?
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
In other languages
conservatism
British English: conservatism NOUN
Conservatism is a political philosophy which believes that if changes need to be made to society, they should be made gradually.