public policy

[ puhb-lik pol-uh-see ]

noun

1. 1. the body of laws and other measures that affect the general public:

      These officeholders are creating public policy on important issues including affordable housing and the environment.

   2. the underlying principles, values, or objectives that inform these laws and other measures: In a secular state, no religion can become the basis of public policy.

      The Institute participates in shaping public debate and public policy through inquiry and dialogue.

      In a secular state, no religion can become the basis of public policy.

2. Law. the principle that injury to the public good or public order constitutes a basis for declaring an act or transaction illegal or invalid:

   The principle of public policy requires that we judge the tendency of the contract at the time when it was entered into.

Word History and Origins

Origin of public policy¹

First recorded in 1775–85

Example Sentences

Shaun Harper, a USC professor of education, public policy and business, slammed the nomination.

From Los Angeles Times

If McMahon aligns with the America First Policy Institute and related super PAC, “it seems that ending DEI and accreditation reform are on top of her list, along with promoting vocational education,” said John Aubrey Douglass, a senior research fellow and research professor of public policy and higher education at the UC Berkeley Center for Studies in Higher Education.

From Los Angeles Times

With a Republican-controlled Senate, possibly the House as well, and a 6-3 conservative majority on the Supreme Court, he now has the opportunity to shift public policy significantly to the right.

From Los Angeles Times

This can be connected in part to recently passed public policy mandating that caterers and restaurants reduce throwaway containers.

From Salon

It was the moment for a supremely important public policy discussion, but Trump’s gaslighting helped keep it entirely off the agenda.

From Salon