Definition of "provincialism" [pro•vin•cial•ism]

• A regional word, phrase, pronunciation, or usage. (noun)
• The condition of being provincial; lack of sophistication or perspective. Also called provinciality. (noun)
• The act or an instance of placing the interests of one's province before one's nation. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "This kind of provincialism is very embarrassing for a space ranger like myself."
• "Halford Mackinder, the turn-of-the-20th-century father of modern geography, stated that provincialism is very useful, since it prevents the tyranny of the wider, geographical majority."
• "Being accused provincialism is a bit hilarious for me, really."