policy

¹

[ pol-uh-see ]

noun

, plural pol·i·cies.

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.

policy

²

[ pol-uh-see ]

noun

, plural pol·i·cies.

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 ( def 2 ).

policy

¹

/ ˈpɒlɪsɪ /

noun

1. a document containing a contract of insurance

policy

²

/ 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

Word History and Origins

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of policy¹

C16: from Old French police certificate, from Old Italian polizza, from Latin apodixis proof, from Greek apodeixis demonstration, proof

Origin of policy²

C14: from Old French policie, from Latin polītīa administration, polity

Example Sentences

That strategy has been used in some cases to help determine GMO policy.

From The Daily Beast

Two-thirds of those who likely to benefit from the new policy are Mexican.

From The Daily Beast

In short, fatherhood gets little attention in policy debates.

From The Daily Beast

I believe in the power of institutions—Congress, public policy, certain ideas about politics—that last for a long time.

From The Daily Beast

What they believe impacts economic policy, foreign policy, education policy, environmental policy, you name it.

From The Daily Beast

It looks very much as if the same policy adopted in the war of 1871-3 had been consciously followed.

From Project Gutenberg

That is, the Government was led into the policy of borrowing through the increase of monetary forms.

From Project Gutenberg

This decision meant a complete reversal of Swedish foreign policy and a breach with France.

From Project Gutenberg

There is no need to discuss the particular way in which this policy can best be carried out.

From Project Gutenberg

Even the purest selfishness would dictate a policy of social insurance.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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