loyalism

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

loy•al•ist /ˈlɔɪəlɪst/   n. [countable]

1. a person who remains loyal, esp. to a king, queen, or government.
2. American History [sometimes: Loyalist] a person who remained loyal to the British during the American Revolution.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

loy•al•ist  (loi′ə list), n. 

1. American History a person who is loyal;
   a supporter of the sovereign or of the existing government, esp. in time of revolt.
2. American History (sometimes cap.) a person who remained loyal to the British during the American Revolution;
   Tory.
3. American History (cap.) an adherent of the republic during the Spanish Civil War, opposed to Franco.

• loyal + -ist 1640–50

loy′al•ism, n.