policy

¹ American  

[pol-uh-see] / ˈpɒl ə si /

noun

PLURAL

policies

1. a definite course of action adopted for the sake of expediency, facility, etc..

   We have a new company policy.

   Synonyms:

   rule , principle , strategy

2. a course of action adopted and pursued by a government, ruler, political party, etc..

   our nation's foreign policy.

3. action or procedure conforming to or considered with reference to prudence or expediency.

   It was good policy to consent.

4. prudence or expediency; shrewdness.

   Showing great policy, he pitted his enemies against one another.

   Synonyms:

   wit , calculation , acumen , prudence

   Antonyms:

   naiveté

5. Rare.  government; polity.

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policy ² American  

[pol-uh-see] / ˈpɒl ə si /

noun

PLURAL

policies

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.

3. numbers pool.

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policy ¹ British  

/ ˈpɒlɪsɪ /

noun

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

2. wisdom, prudence, shrewdness, or sagacity

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

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policy ² British  

/ ˈpɒlɪsɪ /

noun

1. a document containing a contract of insurance

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Usage

What does policy mean? Policy most commonly refers to a rule or plan of action, especially an official one adopted and followed by a group, organization, or government.Policy is most commonly used in the context of laws (government policy), a country’s course of action toward others (foreign policy), and the standards or rules that all members of an organization must follow (such as company policy and school policy). Policy also has several other meanings, including an insurance contract.Example: Management encourages carpooling, but they haven’t made it an official company policy yet.

Etymology

Origin of policy¹

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

Origin of policy²

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”; apodictic, -sis ) + -y ³

Example Sentences

Speaking to business leaders in Nagoya, Ueda said that the BOJ “will consider the pros and cons” of raising its policy interest rate at its upcoming policy meeting, which ends Dec. 19.

From MarketWatch

Nevertheless, the policy wasn’t abolished until the late 1960s.

From Salon

Under the new policy, travelers who hold an older form of ID will be required to pay the fee on pay.gov and show a receipt at an initial Transportation Security Administration checkpoint, the agency said Monday.

From The Wall Street Journal

There is a no-shoes policy in the office, the floor is lined with ornate rugs for socked feet, and a chef named Fausto serves lunch six days a week for its 250 employees.

From The Wall Street Journal

"Environment, mobility, access to housing: a number of policies are on standby and the region is no longer taking charge of major issues."

From Barron's

Related Words

• action
• administration
• approach
• arrangement
• behavior
• code
• guideline
• management
• method
• plan
• practice
• program
• protocol
• rule
• scheme
• strategy
• theory