Dictionary
-ism
noun suffix
: the act, practice, or process of doing something
: behavior like that of a specified kind of person or thing
: unfair treatment of a group of people who have a particular quality
Full Definition of -ISM
1
a : act : practice : process <criticism> <plagiarism> b : manner of action or behavior characteristic of a (specified) person or thing <animalism> c : prejudice or discrimination on the basis of a (specified) attribute <racism> <sexism>
2
a : state : condition : property <barbarianism> b : abnormal state or condition resulting from excess of a (specified) thing <alcoholism> or marked by resemblance to (such) a person or thing <giantism>
3
a : doctrine : theory : religion <Buddhism> b : adherence to a system or a class of principles <stoicism>
4
: characteristic or peculiar feature or trait <colloquialism>
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of -ISM
Middle English -isme, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, partly from Latin -isma (from Greek) & partly from Latin -ismus, from Greek -ismos; Greek -isma & -ismos, from verbs in -izein -ize
-ISM Defined for Kids
-ism
noun suffix \ˌi-zəm\
Definition of -ISM for Kids
1
: act : practice : process <baptism> <criticism>
2
: manner of action or behavior like that of a specified person or thing <heroism>
3
: state : condition <alcoholism>
4
: teachings : theory : system <socialism>
Medical Dictionary
-ism
noun suffix \ˌiz-əm\
Medical Definition of -ISM
1
: act, practice, or process <hypnotism>
2
a : state, condition, or property <heterothallism> b : abnormal state or condition resulting from excess of a (specified) thing or marked by resemblance to a (specified) person or thing <alcoholism> <morphinism> <mongolism>
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up -ism? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).