politics

American  

[pol-i-tiks] / ˈpɒl ɪ tɪks /

noun

(used with a singular or plural verb)

1. the science or art of political government.

2. the practice or profession of conducting political affairs.

3. political affairs.

   The advocated reforms have become embroiled in politics.

4. political methods or maneuvers.

   We could not approve of his politics in winning passage of the bill.

5. political principles or opinions.

   We avoided discussion of religion and politics. His politics are his own affair.

6. use of intrigue or strategy in obtaining any position of power or control, as in business, university, etc.

7. (initial capital letter, italics) a treatise (4th century b.c.) by Aristotle, dealing with the structure, organization, and administration of the state, especially the city-state as known in ancient Greece.

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idioms

1. play politics,

   1. to engage in political intrigue, take advantage of a political situation or issue, resort to partisan politics, etc.; exploit a political system or political relationships.

   2. to deal with people in an opportunistic, manipulative, or devious way, as for job advancement.

politics British  

/ ˈpɒlɪtɪks /

noun

1. (functioning as singular) the practice or study of the art and science of forming, directing, and administrating states and other political units; the art and science of government; political science

2. (functioning as singular) the complex or aggregate of relationships of people in society, esp those relationships involving authority or power

3. (functioning as plural) political activities or affairs

   party politics

4. (functioning as singular) the business or profession of politics

5. (functioning as singular or plural) any activity concerned with the acquisition of power, gaining one's own ends, etc

   company politics are frequently vicious

6. (functioning as plural) opinions, principles, sympathies, etc, with respect to politics

   his conservative politics

7. (functioning as plural)

   1. the policy-formulating aspects of government as distinguished from the administrative, or legal

   2. the civil functions of government as distinguished from the military

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politics More Idioms  

1. see play politics.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• propolitics
  adjective
• antipolitics
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of politics

First recorded in 1520–30; see origin at politic, -ics

Explanation

Your friend who's obsessed with watching Congressional debates and listening to experts discuss the bills being voted on in the Senate has a keen interest in politics, or the details of governing or managing a state or a country. While politics usually refers to the government of a city, state, or country — or the relationship between countries — it can also be used to talk about the way people use their positions in a company or organization to gain power or authority. This is often called office politics. Another similar phrase is playing politics, which means doing something in order to become more powerful rather than doing what's right.

Example Sentences

When comic creator Garth Ennis first conceived “The Boys” in 2004, blending the cult of celebrity with the high stakes of politics seemed merely like a dark thought experiment.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

I read the history as suggesting that—if this is as much of a disruption as I expect—the workers end up getting very, very angry and changing the politics.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026

A decade ago, ranked choice voting was one of the most fiercely contested reforms in the colorful history of Maine politics.

From Salon • Jun. 9, 2026

The ex–MTV reality cast member will not be mayor, but his candidacy will mark a turning point in Los Angeles and California politics.

From Slate • Jun. 9, 2026

I became interested in politics in my U.S. history class during my junior year.

From "Breaking Through" by Francisco Jiménez

Related Words

• campaigning
• government