policy

1
[ pol-uh-see ]
See synonyms for policy on Thesaurus.com
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.

  2. a course of action adopted and pursued by a government, ruler, political party, etc.: our nation's foreign policy.

  1. action or procedure conforming to or considered with reference to prudence or expediency: It was good policy to consent.

  2. prudence or expediency; shrewdness: Showing great policy, he pitted his enemies against one another.

  3. Rare. government; polity.

Origin of policy

1
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English policie “art of government, government, civil administration,” from Middle French, from Latin polītīa polity

Other words for policy

Opposites for policy

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Other definitions for policy (2 of 2)

policy2
[ 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.

Origin of policy

2
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”; see apodictic, -sis) + -y3

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use policy in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for policy (1 of 2)

policy1

/ (ˈpɒlɪsɪ) /


nounplural -cies
  1. a plan of action adopted or pursued by an individual, government, party, business, etc

  2. wisdom, prudence, shrewdness, or sagacity

  1. Scot (often plural) the improved grounds surrounding a country house

Origin of policy

1
C14: from Old French policie, from Latin polītīa administration, polity

British Dictionary definitions for policy (2 of 2)

policy2

/ (ˈpɒlɪsɪ) /


nounplural -cies
  1. a document containing a contract of insurance

Origin of policy

2
C16: from Old French police certificate, from Old Italian polizza, from Latin apodixis proof, from Greek apodeixis demonstration, proof

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012