politics definition

English

Etymology

From the adjective politic, by analogy with Aristotle’s τα πολιτικά (ta politiká, “affairs of state”).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈpɒl.ɪ.tɪks/, /ˈpɒl.ə.tɪks/

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• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈpɑ.lɪˌtɪks/, /ˈpɑ.ləˌtɪks/

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• Hyphenation: pol‧i‧tics

Noun

politics (countable and uncountable, plural politics)

1. (countable) A methodology and activities associated with running a government, an organization, or a movement.
   • 1996, Jan Jindy Pettman, Worlding Women: A feminist international politics, page ix-x:

     There are by now many feminisms (Tong, 1989; Humm, 1992). [...] They are in shifting alliance or contest with postmodern critiques, which at times seem to threaten the very category 'women' and its possibilities for a feminist politics.

2. (countable) The profession of conducting political affairs.

   He made a career out of politics.

3. (treated as a plural noun) One's political stands and opinions.

   Their politics are clear from the bumper stickers on their cars.

4. (uncountable) Political maneuvers or diplomacy between people, groups, or organizations, especially involving power, standing, influence or conflict.
   • 1999, George Lucas, Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, spoken by Senator Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid):

     There is no stability; only politics. The Republic is not what it once was. The Senate is full of greedy, squabbling delegates. There is no interest in the common good.

5. (in the singular, informal) Real-world beliefs and social issues irrelevant to the topic at hand.

   We're trying to talk about comic books, don't mention politics.

Verb

politics

1. third-person singular simple present indicative of politic

Derived terms

Related terms

Translations

Further reading

• “politics”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.
• “politics”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.

Anagrams

• colpitis, psilotic