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spirit or aspirations common to the whole of a nation.
devotion and loyalty to one’s own country; patriotism.
excessive patriotism; chauvinism.
the desire for national advancement or political independence.
the policy or doctrine of asserting the interests of one’s own nation viewed as separate from the interests of other nations or the common interests of all nations.
an idiom or trait peculiar to a nation.
a movement, as in the arts, based upon the folk idioms, history, aspirations, etc., of a nation.
Contemporary Examples

Individual governments took the lead, bankrolling most of the process in the name of competition and nationalism.
Luxembourg and China Team Up on Private Mission to the Moon Matthew R. Francis October 25, 2014

James Carroll examines the roots of American Christian nationalism.
The Pentagon Prayer Fight James Carroll April 23, 2010

It strengthens our culture, and helps to bring our diverse country together with a healthy dose of nationalism.
What Time is the Super Bowl? Ilana Glazer February 2, 2013

Also, the 2011 revolution evoked a new Egyptian nationalism that eschewed foreign influence of all types.
How Obama Lost His Influence in Egypt Josh Rogin August 15, 2013

Surely, they will object, nationalism in America means constitutionalism!
A New Constitution? We Can Hardly Handle The One We’ve Got! James Poulos February 5, 2014

Historical Examples

Such a competitive stage would represent little advance over the present nationalism.
The Next Step Scott Nearing

Take this feature away, and there is no nationalism left to even talk about.
The Arena Various

It has forgotten the everlasting lesson of history that mergence of distinct types means the perpetuation of nationalism.
The Journal of Negro History, Volume 2, 1917 Various

It begins now to be plain as to what “tolerance” is to be in the millennial era of nationalism.
The Arena Various

These memoranda were an accurate reflection of the different shades of Indian nationalism.
The New World of Islam Lothrop Stoddard

noun
a sentiment based on common cultural characteristics that binds a population and often produces a policy of national independence or separatism
loyalty or devotion to one’s country; patriotism
exaggerated, passionate, or fanatical devotion to a national community See also chauvinism
n.

1844, “devotion to one’s country;” see nationalist + -ism; in some usages from French nationalisme. Earlier it was used in a theological sense of “the doctrine of divine election of nations” (1836). Later it was used in a sense of “doctrine advocating nationalization of a country’s industry” (1892).

The strong belief that the interests of a particular nation-state are of primary importance. Also, the belief that a people who share a common language, history, and culture should constitute an independent nation, free of foreign domination.

Note: Nationalism is opposed to colonialism and imperialism.