policy

¹ American  

[pol-uh-see] / ˈpɒl ə si /

noun

• policies
  plural

1. a definite course of action adopted for the sake of expediency, facility, etc..

   We have a new company policy.

   Synonyms:

   rule, principle, strategy

2. a course of action adopted and pursued by a government, ruler, political party, etc..

   our nation's foreign policy.

3. action or procedure conforming to or considered with reference to prudence or expediency.

   It was good policy to consent.

4. prudence or expediency; shrewdness.

   Showing great policy, he pitted his enemies against one another.

   Synonyms:

   wit, calculation, acumen, prudence

   Antonyms:

   naiveté

5. Rare. government; polity.

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policy ² American  

[pol-uh-see] / ˈpɒl ə si /

noun

• policies
  plural

1. a document embodying a contract of insurance.

2. a method of gambling in which bets are made on numbers to be drawn by lottery.

3. numbers pool.

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policy ¹ British  

/ ˈpɒlɪsɪ /

noun

1. a plan of action adopted or pursued by an individual, government, party, business, etc

2. wisdom, prudence, shrewdness, or sagacity

3. (often plural) the improved grounds surrounding a country house

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policy ² British  

/ ˈpɒlɪsɪ /

noun

1. a document containing a contract of insurance

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Usage

What does policy mean? Policy most commonly refers to a rule or plan of action, especially an official one adopted and followed by a group, organization, or government. Policy is most commonly used in the context of laws (government policy), a country’s course of action toward others (foreign policy), and the standards or rules that all members of an organization must follow (such as company policy and school policy). Policy also has several other meanings, including an insurance contract. Example: Management encourages carpooling, but they haven’t made it an official company policy yet.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• policies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of policy¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English policie “art of government, government, civil administration,” from Middle French, from Latin polītīa polity

Origin of policy²

First recorded in 1555–65; from Middle French police “written proof, documentary evidence,” (from Italian polizza, from Medieval Latin apodissa, apodīxa “receipt, security,” ultimately from Greek apódeixis “a showing or setting forth”; see apodictic, -sis) + -y ³

Explanation

Did you just come up with a plan for reducing the number of paper clips your department uses at work each month? Then you’ve created a policy, a plan of action. The noun policy can be used to refer to a plan developed by an individual or a group. You’ll often see the word used to describe a plan developed by a government, such as a housing policy or a defense policy. A policy typically outlines a specific course of action designed to further the general goals of the group. The word can also be used to describe a formal written agreement, such as an insurance policy.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

policy policies

"We are aware of the matter which will be reviewed under the personal conduct policy," the NFL said.

From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026

She is a journalist and editor who primarily covers how tech and policy shape corporate strategy and markets.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026

“I think it’s a fiction that people are sitting on assets,” said Natalie Kean, managing director of health policy for Justice in Aging, an advocacy group.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 25, 2026

In December 2025, the administration turned his rage against Greenland and Canada into official policy.

From Salon ● Aug. 25, 2026

Being honest with yourself is the best policy when assessing.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin

Alison Green solicited reader anecdotes about how their dogs-at-work policies have played out and considers the issue from all angles.

From Slate ● Aug. 25, 2026

As an NFL owner, York is subject to league policies.

From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026

But the right kind of life insurance matters, and finding those policies typically involves consulting an elder-law attorney and a financial planner.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 25, 2026

He also found that its restrictions on lawmakers’ ability to reconsider voter-approved policies was unconstitutional.

From Salon ● Aug. 25, 2026

An avowed critic of his government’s policies of apartheid, especially in sports, he was typical of South African liberals, who from time to time found themselves torn between conscience and patriotism.

From "Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography" by Mark Mathabane

Related Words

• action
• administration
• approach
• arrangement
• behavior
• code
• guideline
• management
• method
• plan
• practice
• program
• protocol
• rule
• scheme
• strategy
• theory