- spirit or aspirations common to the whole of a nation: He describes how the intense and unconquerable nationalism of India’s hundreds of millions contributed to the decline of the British empire.
- devotion and loyalty to one's own country; patriotism: The promotion of a healthy nationalism is part of the responsibility of the leaders of a newly independent, diverse nation.
- excessive patriotism; chauvinism: This kind of nationalism, intolerance, or imperialism seems to occur even in the best democracies.
- the desire for national advancement or political independence: A surge in Quebec nationalism led to the formation of the Parti Québécois, which was committed to a political route to Quebec independence.
- the policy or doctrine of asserting the interests of one's own nation viewed as separate from the interests of other nations or of the international community: There’s a struggle between integration and global values on the one hand, and uncompromising nationalism on the other.
- an idiom or trait peculiar to a nation.
- a movement, as in the arts, based upon the folk idioms, history, aspirations, etc., of a nation.
- a sentiment based on common cultural characteristics that binds a population and often produces a policy of national independence or separatism
- loyalty or devotion to one's country; patriotism
- exaggerated, passionate, or fanatical devotion to a national community
