conservatism

Either irregularly from conservative +‎ -ism or from conservate +‎ -ism; ultimately from Latin cōnservāre (“to conserve; to keep, guard, observe”).

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /kənˈsɜːvətɪzəm/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /kənˈsɚvətɪzəm/

• Audio (General American):

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conservatism (countable and uncountable, plural conservatisms)

1. A political philosophy that advocates traditional values.
   • 2009, Jack P. Greene, Exclusionary Empire: English Liberty Overseas, 1600-1900, page 240:

     Oddly, with the liberals and radicals in power in NSW, the conservatives realized that a nominated upper house was no longer a bastion of conservatism and some began to call for an elected legislative council.

2. A risk-averse attitude or approach.

• conservativism

Borrowed from French conservatisme.

conservatism n (uncountable)

1. conservatism