Word

zionism

noun C1

/ˈzaɪəˌnɪzəm/

Meanings

noun

a political movement supporting a Jewish national homeland in the historic land of Israel/Palestine

noun

belief in Jewish national self-determination connected to the idea of a homeland in that region

Definition

Zionism is a political movement that supports the establishment and continued existence of a Jewish national homeland in the historic land of Israel/Palestine.

Zionism is a nationalist and political movement that argues that Jewish people have the right to national self-determination in their historic homeland. It developed mainly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, especially in response to antisemitism and persecution in Europe. Today, the term is often used in discussions about the history of Israel, Jewish identity, and Middle East politics, and it can carry different political interpretations.

Examples

In his seminar paper, he traced how Zionism evolved from cultural revival into organized political activism.
She explained that Zionism means different things to different communities, depending on their history and experiences.
They debated whether anti-Zionism and antisemitism can be clearly separated in every real-world context.
I realized my understanding of Zionism was incomplete until I read primary sources from the early twentieth century.

Common mistake

Learners sometimes use “Zionism” as a blanket label for all Israeli government policies, but it refers more broadly to a movement or belief about Jewish national self-determination.