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

But the growing army of critics among his own MPs felt that he lacked a clear ideology and was, simply, not very good at politics.

From BBC • Jun. 22, 2026

“The goal is to not merely convey a specific message or ideology but to create a testament to a generation and the era in which we live.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 19, 2026

The cause wasn’t ideology but arithmetic: The old bargain of household specialization—one spouse in the market, one in the home, concentrating where they were most productive—became unaffordable as women’s earnings rose.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 17, 2026

“Dreams” may be formally modest, but its ideology is anything but.

From Salon • Jun. 10, 2026

And as she read, America’s mythologies began to take on meaning, America’s tribalisms—race, ideology, and region—became clear.

From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Related Words

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