Dictionary.com
definitions

ideology

[ ahy-dee-ol-uh-jee, id-ee- ]
/ ˌaɪ diˈɒl ə dʒi, ˌɪd i- /
|
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.

RELATED CONTENT

Who Said It: Presidential Wit & WisdomThink you know your presidents? Take this quiz and see if you can match the style, wit and ideology of these memorable lines to the right POTUS. If the quiz doesn’t display, please try opening in the Chrome browser.
READ MORE
👌 - OK hand emoji - What does the OK hand emoji mean?Read more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE

RELATED WORDS

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

Nearby words

  1. ideokinetic apraxia,
  2. ideological,
  3. ideologist,
  4. ideologize,
  5. ideologue,
  6. ideomotor,
  7. ideomotor apraxia,
  8. ideopolis,
  9. ides,
  10. 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 Formsideological (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

Word Origin and History for ideology

ideology

n.

1796, "science of ideas," originally "philosophy of the mind which derives knowledge from the senses" (as opposed to metaphysics), from French idéologie "study or science of ideas," coined by French philosopher Destutt de Tracy (1754-1836) from idéo- "of ideas," from Greek idea (see idea) + -logy. Later used in a sense "impractical theorizing" (1813). Meaning "systematic set of ideas, doctrines" first recorded 1909.

Ideology ... is usually taken to mean, a prescriptive doctrine that is not supported by rational argument. [D.D. Raphael, "Problems of Political Philosophy," 1970]
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

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.