polis

[ poh-lis ]

/ ˈpoʊ lɪs /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for polis on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural po·leis

[poh-lahys]. /ˈpoʊ laɪs/.

an ancient Greek city-state.

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "IS" VS. "ARE"

"Is" it time for a new quiz? "Are" you ready? Then prove your excellent skills on using "is" vs. "are."

Question 1 of 7

IS and ARE are both forms of which verb?

have

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of polis

1890–95; <Greek pólis, plural (Ionic) póleis

Words nearby polis

poliosis, polio vaccine, poliovirus, poliovirus hominis, poliovirus vaccine, polis, Polisario, poli sci, polish, Polish Corridor, polished

Other definitions for polis (2 of 2)

-polis

a combining form, meaning “city,” appearing in loanwords from Greek (metropolis), and used in the formation of placenames (Annapolis).

Origin of -polis

Combining form representing Greek pólispolis

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use polis in a sentence

In a now famous clip, Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO) was asked what percentage of Congress smokes.
Can Congress Get Stoned Now That D.C. Has Legalized Marijuana?|Abby Haglage|November 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
One case which did garner some mainstream media attention was that of Chrissy Lee Polis.
Media Ignores Rash of Assaults on Transgender Women|Jay Michaelson|June 6, 2012|DAILY BEAST
U.S. Rep. Jared Polis is another Democrat frustrated by the highly visible and political failure of the civil unions bill.
Gay Politicians: Colorado Civil Unions Debacle Will Galvanize Voters|Allison Yarrow|May 19, 2012|DAILY BEAST
His father coined the word “poliatrist”, meaning a healer of the polis or city.
Hector Abad On “Oblivion: A Memoir,” a Memorial to His Murdered Father|Maya Jaggi|April 27, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Frank is retiring, Baldwin is running for the Senate, and Polis and Ciciline are up for reelection.
Gay Politicians Come Out In Force for 2012 Races|Allison Yarrow|April 26, 2012|DAILY BEAST
It would have gone hard with them as they left the cage, but someone whispered, "Here's the polis!"
The Underworld|James C. Welsh
Wan day a captain an' a squad iv polis backed th' wagon up to th' dure iv th' palace an' rung th' bell.
Mr. Dooley Says|Finley Dunne
I 've a bit of paper for you somewhere, from one you know, if them blackguards the 'polis' has not made me lose it.
The Knight Of Gwynne, Vol. I (of II)|Charles James Lever
The constitution of the polis is a Phœnician invention, even this has been imitated by the Hellenes.
We Philologists, Volume 8 (of 18)|Friedrich Nietzsche
The Greek polis and the αἱεν ἁριστεὑειν grew up out of mutual enmity.
We Philologists, Volume 8 (of 18)|Friedrich Nietzsche

British Dictionary definitions for polis (1 of 2)

polis¹

/ (ˈpɒlɪs) /

noun plural poleis (ˈpɒlaɪs)

an ancient Greek city-state

Word Origin for polis

from Greek: city

British Dictionary definitions for polis (2 of 2)

polis²

/ (ˈpolɪs) /

noun

Scot and Irish the police or a police officer

Word Origin for polis

C19: a variant pronunciation of police

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

polis

Origin of polis

Words nearby polis

Other definitions for polis (2 of 2)

Origin of -polis

Words related to polis

How to use polis in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for polis (1 of 2)

Word Origin for polis

British Dictionary definitions for polis (2 of 2)

Word Origin for polis