ideology

[ ahy-dee-ol-uh-jee, id-ee- ]

noun

, plural i·de·ol·o·gies.

1. the body of doctrine, myth, belief, etc., that guides an individual, social movement, institution, class, or large group.
2. such a body of doctrine, myth, etc., with reference to some political and social plan, as that of fascism, along with the devices for putting it into operation.
3. Philosophy.
   1. the study of the nature and origin of ideas.
   2. a system that derives ideas exclusively from sensation.
4. theorizing of a visionary or impractical nature.

ideology

/ ˌaɪdɪəˈlɒdʒɪkəl; ˌaɪdɪˈɒlədʒɪ /

noun

1. a body of ideas that reflects the beliefs and interests of a nation, political system, etc and underlies political action
2. philosophy sociol the set of beliefs by which a group or society orders reality so as to render it intelligible
3. speculation that is imaginary or visionary
4. the study of the nature and origin of ideas

ideology

1. A system of beliefs or theories , usually political, held by an individual or a group. Capitalism , communism , and socialism are usually called ideologies.

Derived Forms

• ideological, adjective
• ˌideoˈlogically, adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of ideology¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; ideo- + -logy

Example Sentences

History provides ample evidence of the consequences of allowing ideology to govern scientific inquiry.

From Los Angeles Times

You need to be useful to your community and not an ideology.”

From Los Angeles Times

The policy framework also calls for “rejecting gender ideology and critical race theory.”

From Los Angeles Times

Despite this, the Western ideology that dominates Canadian laws has often considered Indigenous people’s impact on some of this land to be trivial, and so discounts their land rights.

From Science Magazine

In its neglect, it unwittingly allowed the floodgates of far-right rhetoric to burst open, giving a voice and platform to ideologies that once lingered in the corners of society.

From Salon

Related Words

• creed
• culture
• dogma
• outlook
• philosophy
• theory
• view