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feminism

Pronunciation: /ˈfɛmɪnɪz(ə)m/
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Definition of feminism

noun

[mass noun]
  • the advocacy of women’s rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes.

The issue of rights for women first became prominent during the French and American revolutions in the late 18th century. In Britain it was not until the emergence of the suffragette movement in the late 19th century that there was significant political change. A ‘second wave’ of feminism arose in the 1960s, with an emphasis on unity and sisterhood; seminal figures included Betty Friedan and Germaine Greer

Origin:

late 19th century: from French féminisme

feminism in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of feminism in the US English dictionary