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

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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

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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

Wiles, who co-managed the president's successful 2024 re-election campaign, developed a reputation as a cool professional who avoided the White House staffing upheavals, dramatic policy reversals and personality clashes that typified Trump's first presidential term.

From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2026

Ashley Thompson, a senior vice president for policy at the American Hospital Association, said E.R. boarding is caused by workforce shortages and insurance-coverage gaps that drive more people to seek care in the E.R.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026

But after the outrage over shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good by immigration agents in Minneapolis in January prompted the White House to roll back the policy, he has kept a lower profile.

From Barron's ● Nov. 6, 2026

The online version of the Sheriff’s Department’s Manual of Policy and Procedures has already been updated to include its new policy on the cliques.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2026

They told me it was a set policy.

From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz

Spanish-ruled Louisiana also bought American goods, despite the mercantilist policies set by Madrid.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026

In an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper on Thursday, Hinojosa took pains to say that her policies are pro-business.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 6, 2026

Raman is also expected to champion policies sought by the region’s transportation advocates.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 5, 2026

He said planning reforms were in favour of development, with housing and economic growth policies often carrying greater weight than nature conservation.

From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2026

He was followed in power by a succession of other leaders, none of whom instituted policies aimed at bringing about meaningful change.

From "1919 The Year That Changed America" by Martin W. Sandler

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Related Words

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

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