- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
  Log In

Christian nationalism

noun

:an ideology calling for a government that incorporates or endorses aspects of Christian religion (as by making decisions, laws, policies, etc., in accordance with Christian beliefs, by engaging in government promotion of Christianity, or by legally enforcing Christian doctrine)

…Christian nationalism is a presumption that Christians are America's first citizens, architects, and guardians and that we have the right to define the nation's culture and identity. And, crucially, it is an assumption that the government has rightful jurisdiction over the nation's cultural and religious identity …—

Paul D. Miller

Christian nationalism is the use of Christian symbols or teachings in order to prop up a nation-state or an ethnic identity. …Christian nationalism assumes outward conformity enforced by social or political power.—

Russell Moore,quoted inThe New York Times

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning definedabove

Time Traveler

The first known use ofChristian nationalism was in 1942

See more words from the same year

Rhymes forChristian nationalism

See All Rhymes forChristian nationalism

Browse Nearby Words

Christian name

Christian nationalism

Christian nationalist

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Christian nationalism.”Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Christian%20nationalism. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.

Copy Citation