definitions

ideology

[ ahy-dee-ol-uh-jee, id-ee- ]
/ ˌaɪ diˈɒl ə dʒi, ˌɪd i- /
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR ideology ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural i·de·ol·o·gies.

the body of doctrine, myth, belief, etc., that guides an individual, social movement, institution, class, or large group.
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.
Philosophy.
  1. the study of the nature and origin of ideas.
  2. a system that derives ideas exclusively from sensation.
theorizing of a visionary or impractical nature.

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RELATED WORDS

outlook, theory, dogma, creed, philosophy, culture, view, credo, system, principles, Weltanschauung, ideas

Nearby words

ideokinetic apraxia, ideological, ideologist, ideologize, ideologue, ideology, ideomotor, ideomotor apraxia, ideopolis, ides, ides of march

Origin of ideology

1790–1800; ideo- + -logy; compare French idéologie
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for ideology

British Dictionary definitions for ideology

ideology

/ (ˌaɪdɪˈɒlədʒɪ) /

noun plural -gies

a body of ideas that reflects the beliefs and interests of a nation, political system, etc and underlies political action
philosophy sociol the set of beliefs by which a group or society orders reality so as to render it intelligible
speculation that is imaginary or visionary
the study of the nature and origin of ideas

Derived Forms

ideological (ˌaɪdɪəˈlɒdʒɪkəl) or ideologic, adjectiveideologically, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for ideology

ideology

[ ī′dē-ŏl′ə-jē, ĭd′ē- ]

n.

The body of ideas reflecting the social needs and aspirations of an individual, a group, a class, or a culture.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Culture definitions for ideology

ideology

[ (eye-dee-ol-uh-jee, id-ee-ol-uh-jee) ]

A system of beliefs or theories, usually political, held by an individual or a group. Capitalism, communism, and socialism are usually called ideologies.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.