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  

/ 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

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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

noun

• 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

“I still have hope. It won’t be him, but there will be other people who follow his ideology and form of thinking.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026

Saeid Golkar, an expert on Iran’s security services at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, attributed the failures of the cells to the Revolutionary Guard’s giving priority to of ideology over skill.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026

She developed her own political ideology only after a pandemic-era “unraveling” of her faith similar to Smith’s, compounded by financial hardship and sped up by her oldest daughter coming out as gay.

From Slate • May 4, 2026

Researchers say Kim's regime sees the spread of South Korean pop culture as a threat to its ideology.

From BBC • Apr. 27, 2026

They worked on efficiency badges in sports, Nazi ideology, nursing, household training, social work, and later, air-raid training.

From "Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

Related Words

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