policy1
- a definite course of action adopted for the sake of expediency, facility, etc.: We have a new company policy.
- a course of action adopted and pursued by a government, ruler, political party, etc.: our nation's foreign policy.
- action or procedure conforming to or considered with reference to prudence or expediency: It was good policy to consent.
- sagacity; shrewdness: Showing great policy, he pitted his enemies against one another.
- Rare. government; polity.
Origin of policy1
Synonyms
See more synonyms on Thesaurus.comAntonyms
policy2
- a document embodying a contract of insurance.
- a method of gambling in which bets are made on numbers to be drawn by lottery.
- numbers pool(def 2).
Origin of policy2
Examples from the Web for policy
Contemporary Examples
That strategy has been used in some cases to help determine GMO policy.
In short, fatherhood gets little attention in policy debates.
At any rate, policy can enforce equal rights and foster equal opportunity.
Policy is about wielding power, while mercy is about transcending power by renouncing it.
Beyond that, how will China evolve its rigid Internet policy?
Historical Examples
We have a just right to expect that our European policy will be the American policy of European courts.
We have exacted from him what is at variance with the fixed Chinese policy of ages.
We have never practiced the policy of competitive armaments.
Mr. Gladstone said that the policy of the Government was to "rescue and retire."
The Grand Old ManRichard B. Cook
The policy of the opposition was coercion, while that of the government was autonomy.
The Grand Old ManRichard B. Cook
policy1
- a plan of action adopted or pursued by an individual, government, party, business, etc
- wisdom, prudence, shrewdness, or sagacity
- Scot (often plural) the improved grounds surrounding a country house
Word Origin
policy2
- a document containing a contract of insurance
Word Origin
Word Origin and History for policy
n.1
"way of management," late 14c., policie, "study or practice of government; good government;" from Old French policie (14c.) "political organization, civil administration," from Late Latin politia "the state, civil administration," from Greek politeia "state, administration, government, citizenship," from polites "citizen," from polis "city, state" (see polis). Meaning "plan of action, way of management" first recorded c.1400.
n.2
"written insurance agreement," 1560s, from Middle French police "contract, bill of lading" (late 14c.), from Italian polizza "written evidence of a transaction," from Old Italian poliza, from Medieval Latin apodissa "receipt for money," from Greek apodexis "proof, declaration," from apo- "off" + deiknynia "to show," cognate with Latin dicere "to tell" (see diction).