politics

[pol-i-tiks]

noun

(used with a singular or plural verb)

1. the science or art of political government.

2. the practice or profession of conducting political affairs.

3. political affairs.

   The advocated reforms have become embroiled in politics.

4. political methods or maneuvers.

   We could not approve of his politics in winning passage of the bill.

5. political principles or opinions.

   We avoided discussion of religion and politics. His politics are his own affair.

6. use of intrigue or strategy in obtaining any position of power or control, as in business, university, etc.

7. (initial capital letter, italics),  a treatise (4th century b.c.) by Aristotle, dealing with the structure, organization, and administration of the state, especially the city-state as known in ancient Greece.

politics

/ ˈpɒlɪtɪks /

noun

1. (functioning as singular) the practice or study of the art and science of forming, directing, and administrating states and other political units; the art and science of government; political science

2. (functioning as singular) the complex or aggregate of relationships of people in society, esp those relationships involving authority or power

3. (functioning as plural) political activities or affairs

   party politics

4. (functioning as singular) the business or profession of politics

5. (functioning as singular or plural) any activity concerned with the acquisition of power, gaining one's own ends, etc

   company politics are frequently vicious

6. (functioning as plural) opinions, principles, sympathies, etc, with respect to politics

   his conservative politics

7. (functioning as plural)

   1. the policy-formulating aspects of government as distinguished from the administrative, or legal

   2. the civil functions of government as distinguished from the military

Other Word Forms

• antipolitics adjective
• propolitics adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of politics¹

First recorded in 1520–30; politic, -ics

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. play politics,

   1. to engage in political intrigue, take advantage of a political situation or issue, resort to partisan politics, etc.; exploit a political system or political relationships.

   2. to deal with people in an opportunistic, manipulative, or devious way, as for job advancement.

see play politics.

Example Sentences

"In the world of politics you want your name mentioned."

Read more on BBC

Stuckey says she sees herself competing with progressive churches for the “mushy middle”— Christians who are scared of politics or who “veer to the left.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He also examined the history of those peculiar twists and turns on the city perimeter, mucking through L.A.’s long-simmering stew of real estate grabs, water politics and annexation schemes.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Harris said she had not yet made a decision, but underlined that she still sees herself as having a future in politics.

Read more on BBC

Billionaires wield growing influence in politics, technology and global development.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• campaigning www.thesaurus.com
• government