polity

[ pol-i-tee ]

noun

, plural pol·i·ties.

1. a particular form or system of government:

   civil polity; ecclesiastical polity.

2. the condition of being constituted as a state or other organized community or body:

   The polity of ancient Athens became a standard for later governments.

3. government or administrative regulation:

   The colonists demanded independence in matters of internal polity.

4. a state or other organized community or body.

polity

/ ˈpɒlɪtɪ /

noun

1. a form of government or organization of a state, church, society, etc; constitution
2. a politically organized society, state, city, etc
3. the management of public or civil affairs
4. political organization

Word History and Origins

Origin of polity¹

1530–40; < Latin polītīa < Greek polīteía citizenship, government, form of government, commonwealth, equivalent to polī́te-, variant stem of polī́tēs citizen ( polis, -ite ¹ ) + -ia -ia

Word History and Origins

Origin of polity¹

C16: from Latin polītīa, from Greek politeia citizenship, civil administration, from politēs citizen, from polis city

Example Sentences

Sorry, I'm partisan, but I doubt I'm an unusual case in our polity.

From The Daily Beast

We are in a depression because it is our revealed preference, as a polity, not to remedy the problem.

From The Daily Beast

In any democratic polity, the voting public wants to identify with its leaders.

From The Daily Beast

Of course, traditional journalists and ideological activists are both needed if we're to maintain a healthy polity.

From The Daily Beast

Those who approve of their polity countenance what is hostile to his government, and thus act as his enemies.

From Project Gutenberg

The history of our polity at this time is closely connected with the history of one man.

From Project Gutenberg

Switzerland, he urged, played so important a part in the European polity, that no one could be indifferent to its destiny.

From Project Gutenberg

But why should not a part of that fable have come true in our polity, as another part of it has come true in yours?

From Project Gutenberg

Calvin exercised a great influence on the civil polity of Geneva, although it was established before he came to the city.

From Project Gutenberg