politics
politics Lexical Profile
politics Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The activities, actions, and policies associated with governing a country or area, or with debate and competition among parties having or hoping to achieve power.
"After working as a community organizer for a decade, she decided to enter national politics."
The academic study of government, public policy, and the distribution of power in society.
"He is currently a professor of modern European politics at the university."
A particular set of political beliefs, principles, or ideological commitments held by an individual or group.
"While the two authors are close friends in private, their politics could not be more different."
Activities within an organization, workplace, or social group that are aimed at improving someone's status, influence, or authority.
"He enjoyed the technical engineering work but grew tired of dealing with office politics."
Word Nuance & Usage
Although plural in form, "politics" takes a singular verb when referring to the academic discipline, profession, or general system of government (e.g., "Politics is a complex field"), and a plural verb when referring to a specific person's or group's ideological beliefs or maneuvering (e.g., "Her politics are quite progressive").
• Rhymes for politics
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
First recorded in the early 16th century, modeled on Aristotle's Greek treatise "ta politika" ('affairs of state'), from "politikos" ('of citizens or the state'), which derives from "polites" ('citizen') and "polis" ('city').