ideology

American  

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

noun

plural

ideologies

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

• ideological adjective
• ideologically adverb

Etymology

Origin of ideology

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

Example Sentences

What it says about America: Music became a tool of ideology and morale.

From The Wall Street Journal

Its huge white storage tanks serve as canvases for slogans evoking Chavismo, the political ideology that governed Venezuela for the past 27 years and is named after late former leftist leader Hugo Chavez.

From Barron's

But without a mix of people of different ages, ideologies, walks of life and levels of faith, parish life risks becoming a stifling, overly homogeneous echo chamber—one incapable of sustaining a lively faith.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Right now it’s about economic injustice. But people have many other problems with the regime. Its ideology is not accepted by the people anymore, even among my generation,” said Sazegara, who is in his 70s.

From The Wall Street Journal

And then there’s a set of issues that have to do with who is hired and what kinds of thinking and ideologies are valued at these institutions.

From Salon

Related Words

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