political

[ puh-lit-i-kuhl ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or concerned with politics:

   political writers.

2. of, relating to, or connected with a political party:

   a political campaign.

3. exercising or seeking power in the governmental or public affairs of a state, municipality, etc.:

   a political machine;

   a political boss.

4. of, relating to, or involving the state or its government:

   a political offense.

5. having a definite policy or system of government:

   a political community.

6. of or relating to citizens:

   political rights.

political

/ pəˈlɪtɪkəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to the state, government, the body politic, public administration, policy-making, etc
2. 1. of, involved in, or relating to government policy-making as distinguished from administration or law
   2. of or relating to the civil aspects of government as distinguished from the military
3. of, dealing with, or relating to politics

   a political person

4. of, characteristic of, or relating to the parties and the partisan aspects of politics
5. organized or ordered with respect to government

   a political unit

Derived Forms

• poˈlitically, adverb

Other Words From

• po·liti·cal·ly adverb
• anti·po·liti·cal adjective
• anti·po·liti·cal·ly adverb
• nonpo·liti·cal adjective
• nonpo·liti·cal·ly adverb
• over·po·liti·cal adjective
• over·po·liti·cal·ly adverb
• prepo·liti·cal adjective
• prepo·liti·cal·ly adverb
• pseudo·po·liti·cal adjective
• quasi-po·liti·cal adjective
• quasi-po·liti·cal·ly adverb
• subpo·liti·cal adjective
• subpo·liti·cal·ly adverb
• unpo·liti·cal adjective
• unpo·liti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of political¹

First recorded in 1545–55; from Latin polītic(us) “civic” ( politic ) + -al ¹

Example Sentences

The opposition had baptised him "deputy Jesus", accusing him of using Christianity to gain political capital as he attended church services from Catholic masses to the gatherings of obscure sects.

From BBC

Trump’s post on Truth Social confirming the volte-face - his first political setback since his election 16 days earlier - was unusually muted for the president-elect.

From BBC

“Pete pledged that the Pentagon will focus on strength and hard power — not the current administration’s woke political agenda,” Barrasso said in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times

In a statement, Netanyahu’s office said Israel “categorically rejects the absurd and false accusations” and called the court a “biased and discriminatory political body.”

From Los Angeles Times

Macron’s move angered many Algerians, who view the award to Daoud as a political rather than a literary gesture.

From BBC