political

American  

[puh-lit-i-kuhl] / pəˈlɪt ɪ kəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or concerned with politics.

   political writers.

2. of, relating to, or connected with a political party.

   a political campaign.

3. exercising or seeking power in the governmental or public affairs of a state, municipality, etc..

   a political machine;

   a political boss.

4. of, relating to, or involving the state or its government.

   a political offense.

5. having a definite policy or system of government.

   a political community.

6. of or relating to citizens.

   political rights.

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political British  

/ pəˈlɪtɪkəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to the state, government, the body politic, public administration, policy-making, etc

2. 1. of, involved in, or relating to government policy-making as distinguished from administration or law

   2. of or relating to the civil aspects of government as distinguished from the military

3. of, dealing with, or relating to politics

   a political person

4. of, characteristic of, or relating to the parties and the partisan aspects of politics

5. organized or ordered with respect to government

   a political unit

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• unpolitically
  adverb
• antipolitical
  adjective
• quasi-political
  adjective
• antipolitically
  adverb
• unpolitical
  adjective
• prepolitical
  adjective
• nonpolitical
  adjective
• politically
  adverb
• subpolitically
  adverb
• quasi-politically
  adverb
• nonpolitically
  adverb
• prepolitically
  adverb
• subpolitical
  adjective
• overpolitical
  adjective
• pseudopolitical
  adjective
• overpolitically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of political

First recorded in 1545–55; from Latin polītic(us) “civic” ( see politic) + -al ¹

Explanation

Things that are political have to do with government, elections, and how society is run. Congress, state representatives, even county council members are all part of our political system. The Republicans and Democrats are the two main political parties in America — they support political candidates that run for office. The major things that politicians discuss, like balancing the budget, raising taxes, and immigration laws, are political issues. But if someone gets a promotion just because they're friends with the boss, you'd also say it was totally political. In other words, they got ahead because of their connections rather than their qualifications, just like a lot of politicians.

Example Sentences

Many voters had hoped the election would draw a line under years of political chaos that has seen a string of presidents jailed, deposed and impeached.

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

It could strive to address our most fundamental problems with common-sense solutions, meaningfully improving Americans’ quality of life and raising the level of political discourse in the process.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

A British immigrant and former political advisor to U.K.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

As Maine voters of both parties select their nominees this week, candidates across the political spectrum are demonstrating just how deeply ranked choice voting has become woven into the state’s politics.

From Salon • Jun. 9, 2026

“Around this time, all kinds of booby-trapped trinkets were being scattered on our airfield,” said Vera Tikhomirova, the 586th Regiment’s deputy commander for political affairs.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein