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

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

They also examine the Smithsonian’s uncertain legal status, and whether the museum’s real problem is chaotic organization rather than ideology.

From Slate ● Jul. 23, 2026

Friedkin’s movie shifted people’s perceptions about fear and played with longstanding ideas about the nuclear family and religious ideology, themes that were starting to be contested and debated as America moved further from ’50s-era sterility.

From Salon ● Jul. 22, 2026

The paper says the change came after police discovered "items of political ideology" in their key suspect's home.

From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026

Besides Marxist ideology, one thing Mr. Piker, Mr. Mamdani and most of these candidates have in common is that they are children of immigrants.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 28, 2026

Instead, it treated the Mormon ideology as a chapter in the larger human story.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

Over time, he and his apostles took on various ideologies, dropping them for new ones as times changed and power beckoned.

From Salon ● Jun. 25, 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

The statement added that the department has updated guidance, is providing teachers with resources to recognise the signs of incel ideologies and is strengthening guidance for mobile phones in schools.

From BBC ● Apr. 4, 2026

That’s because local media campaigns that reflect different political ideologies and community priorities may have a better chance of influencing the public.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 9, 2026

These wartime allies stood for opposing worldviews and hostile ideologies, and their recent triumph over Nazism made them less, not more, open to compromise.

From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau

Related Words

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