elitism

[ ih-lee-tiz-uh m, ey-lee- ]
/ ɪˈli tɪz əm, eɪˈli- /

noun

practice of or belief in rule by an elite.
consciousness of or pride in belonging to a select or favored group.

Origin of elitism

First recorded in 1950–55; elite + -ism

OTHER WORDS FROM elitism

e·lit·ist, noun, adjective an·ti·e·lit·ism, noun

Words nearby elitism

Example sentences from the Web for elitism

British Dictionary definitions for elitism

elitism
/ (ɪˈliːtɪzəm, eɪ-) /

noun

  1. the belief that society should be governed by a select group of gifted and highly educated individuals
  2. such government
pride in or awareness of being one of an elite group

Derived forms of elitism

elitist, adjective, noun