policy

¹

[ pol-uh-see ]

noun

, plural pol·i·cies.

1. a definite course of action adopted for the sake of expediency, facility, etc.:

   We have a new company policy.

   Synonyms: rule, principle, strategy

2. a course of action adopted and pursued by a government, ruler, political party, etc.:

   our nation's foreign policy.

3. action or procedure conforming to or considered with reference to prudence or expediency:

   It was good policy to consent.

4. prudence or expediency; shrewdness:

   Showing great policy, he pitted his enemies against one another.

   Synonyms: wit, calculation, acumen, prudence

   Antonyms: naiveté

5. Rare. government; polity.

policy

²

[ pol-uh-see ]

noun

, plural pol·i·cies.

1. a document embodying a contract of insurance.
2. a method of gambling in which bets are made on numbers to be drawn by lottery.
3. numbers pool ( def 2 ).

policy

¹

/ ˈpɒlɪsɪ /

noun

1. a document containing a contract of insurance

policy

²

/ ˈpɒlɪsɪ /

noun

1. a plan of action adopted or pursued by an individual, government, party, business, etc
2. wisdom, prudence, shrewdness, or sagacity
3. often plural the improved grounds surrounding a country house

Word History and Origins

Origin of policy¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English policie “art of government, government, civil administration,” from Middle French, from Latin polītīa polity

Origin of policy²

First recorded in 1555–65; from Middle French police “written proof, documentary evidence,” (from Italian polizza, from Medieval Latin apodissa, apodīxa “receipt, security,” ultimately from Greek apódeixis “a showing or setting forth”; apodictic, -sis ) + -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of policy¹

C16: from Old French police certificate, from Old Italian polizza, from Latin apodixis proof, from Greek apodeixis demonstration, proof

Origin of policy²

C14: from Old French policie, from Latin polītīa administration, polity

Example Sentences

“I think people should be concerned, in the military and out of it, about the politicization of the military, and the attempt to use it to do the president’s personal will,” said Benjamin Friedman, policy director of the Washington-based think tank Defense Priorities, which advocates for restraint in U.S. foreign policy.

From Los Angeles Times

In announcing his choice of the “courageous and patriotic” Hegseth for the top defense job, Trump again touted his self-described policy of “peace through strength” — deterrence underpinned by a willingness to use military force when necessary.

From Los Angeles Times

“As abortion bans strip away access, the need for abortion care continues,” said Alison Norris, MD, PhD, #WeCount Co-Chair and professor at The Ohio State University’s College of Public Health and co-principal investigator of the Ohio Policy Evaluation Network.

From Salon

Gabbard, a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve who served in Iraq, has long been critical of foreign policy establishment.

From Salon

Her deeply skeptical views of most U.S. foreign policy, including support for Ukraine, sympathy for dictators like Vladimir Putin and Bashar al-Assad in Syria and embrace of various conspiracy theories has earned her many critics who say that she would not pass muster in a Senate confirmation process.

From Salon

Related Words

• action
• administration
• approach
• arrangement
• behavior
• code
• guideline
• management
• method
• plan
• practice
• program
• protocol
• rule
• scheme
• strategy
• theory