ideology

[ahy-dee-ol-uh-jee, id-ee-]

noun

plural

ideologies 

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.

ideology

/ ˌaɪdɪəˈlɒdʒɪkəl, 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

ideology

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

Other Word Forms

• ideological adjective
• ideologically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of ideology¹

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

Example Sentences

A born entertainer who had no ideology to sell or bourgeois morality to promote, he gravitated to theater as the most exhilarating form of debate.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The graduate assistant grader gave the essay a zero, noting that it “contradicts itself,” “heavily uses personal ideology over empirical evidence,” and contains passages that are “offensive.”

Read more on Salon

Each chapter varies in ideology, and one of its aims is to create a state ruled by Islamic law, or Sharia.

Read more on BBC

Yes, we need museum curators to spread history and knowledge, but not ideology.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

There are moments of clarity, and although they usually have nothing to do with issues of policy or ideology to us, such moments do arrive.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

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