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Ideology was coined during which century?

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ideology

American  

[ahy-dee-ol-uh-jee, id-ee-] / ˌaɪ diˈɒl ə dʒi, ˌɪd i- /

noun

• ideologies
  plural

1. the body of doctrine, myth, belief, etc., that guides an individual, social movement, institution, class, or large group.

2. such a body of doctrine, myth, etc., with reference to some political and social plan, as that of fascism, along with the devices for putting it into operation.

3. Philosophy.

   1. the study of the nature and origin of ideas.

   2. a system that derives ideas exclusively from sensation.

4. theorizing of a visionary or impractical nature.

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ideology British  

/ ˌaɪdɪˈɒlədʒɪ /

noun

1. a body of ideas that reflects the beliefs and interests of a nation, political system, etc and underlies political action

2. philosophy sociol the set of beliefs by which a group or society orders reality so as to render it intelligible

3. speculation that is imaginary or visionary

4. the study of the nature and origin of ideas

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ideology Cultural  

1. A system of beliefs or theories, usually political, held by an individual or a group. Capitalism, communism, and socialism are usually called ideologies.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• ideological
  adjective
• ideologically
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• ideologies
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of ideology

First recorded in 1790–1800; ideo- + -logy

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Explanation

An ideology is a set of opinions or beliefs of a group or an individual. Very often ideology refers to a set of political beliefs or a set of ideas that characterize a particular culture. Capitalism, communism, socialism, and Marxism are ideologies. But not all -ism words are. Think: cronyism (a system of graft whereby friends unfairly help each other make money.) Our English noun is from French idéologie. The suffix –logy, used with many English words describing theories or doctrines, is from Greek logos "word, reason, speech, account."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ideology ideologies

As a student, Hopper benefited from the teaching of Robert Henri, a painter who emphasized the artist’s need to separate himself from family, country, race and ideology.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

In court, prosecutors argued that he was radicalized online and motivated by an ideology that called for “jihad duty.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 10, 2026

Oliver Stuenkel, a professor at the Getulio Vargas Foundation, downplayed the importance of ideology in regional relations as more "rhetorical than substantive."

From Barron's ● Sep. 28, 2026

Many Israelis find the violent, messianic ideology of some settlers deeply problematic.

From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2026

Soon after their arrival, Tocqueville and Beaumont heard a story that appeared to shed further light on the keepers’ ideology.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover

One key objection was the mature tone of the narrative, in which the child protagonist is directly confronted and endangered by the evils derived from fascist ideologies.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 9, 2026

The ideal of many ideologies in our time has, frankly, become a world of perfect safety, devoid of risk or failure, with neither the glory of victory nor the shame of defeat.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026

Baum has stressed that "my family and I firmly reject extremist ideologies and will not accept the AfD's appropriation of our name".

From Barron's ● Sep. 4, 2026

Prevent was set up 20 years ago to try to identify future potential terrorists and intervene in their lives, often by challenging hateful ideologies such as far right extremism or support for jihadist violence.

From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026

First, the achievement of the revolutionary generation was a collective enterprise that succeeded because of the diversity of personalities and ideologies present in the mix.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

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Related Words

• creed
• culture
• dogma
• outlook
• philosophy
• theory
• view

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