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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

Etymology

Origin of ideology

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

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

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

From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2026

Owens understands that this incongruity between Kirk’s ideology and behavior unsettles people.

From Salon ● Sep. 8, 2026

What accounts for the divergence between their stated views and the ideology they claim to endorse?

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 7, 2026

To believe that even good women might see their minds betray them so spectacularly would be to rescind control over an entire ideology that helps organize your world.

From Slate ● Sep. 5, 2026

He didn’t just talk about being a geek, it was his ideology, religion, identity.

From "Geeks: How Two Lost Boys Rode the Internet Out of Idaho" by Jon Katz

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

Some push their own ideologies, encourage patients toward a path that worked for them, and even judge family members they have never met.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 22, 2026

In contrast, the rigid ideologies of homogenous teams “constrain portfolio choice” and make it less likely that the funds will “adapt to novel or changing environments.”

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 12, 2026

Thematic ideologies conflict as often as the animals do.

From Salon ● May 3, 2026

But some of their ideologies didn’t align with Hitler’s.

From "Salt to the Sea" by Ruta Sepetys

Related Words

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