political

American  

[puh-lit-i-kuhl] / pəˈlɪt ɪ kəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or concerned with politics.

   political writers.

2. of, relating to, or connected with a political party.

   a political campaign.

3. exercising or seeking power in the governmental or public affairs of a state, municipality, etc..

   a political machine;

   a political boss.

4. of, relating to, or involving the state or its government.

   a political offense.

5. having a definite policy or system of government.

   a political community.

6. of or relating to citizens.

   political rights.

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political British  

/ pəˈlɪtɪkəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to the state, government, the body politic, public administration, policy-making, etc

2. 1. of, involved in, or relating to government policy-making as distinguished from administration or law

   2. of or relating to the civil aspects of government as distinguished from the military

3. of, dealing with, or relating to politics

   a political person

4. of, characteristic of, or relating to the parties and the partisan aspects of politics

5. organized or ordered with respect to government

   a political unit

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Other Word Forms

• antipolitical
  adjective
• antipolitically
  adverb
• nonpolitical
  adjective
• nonpolitically
  adverb
• overpolitical
  adjective
• overpolitically
  adverb
• politically
  adverb
• prepolitical
  adjective
• prepolitically
  adverb
• pseudopolitical
  adjective
• quasi-political
  adjective
• quasi-politically
  adverb
• subpolitical
  adjective
• subpolitically
  adverb
• unpolitical
  adjective
• unpolitically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of political

First recorded in 1545–55; from Latin polītic(us) “civic” ( see politic) + -al ¹

Explanation

Things that are political have to do with government, elections, and how society is run. Congress, state representatives, even county council members are all part of our political system. The Republicans and Democrats are the two main political parties in America — they support political candidates that run for office. The major things that politicians discuss, like balancing the budget, raising taxes, and immigration laws, are political issues. But if someone gets a promotion just because they're friends with the boss, you'd also say it was totally political. In other words, they got ahead because of their connections rather than their qualifications, just like a lot of politicians.

Example Sentences

Political groups are required to notify paid creators of the requirement.

From Los Angeles Times • May 24, 2026

Political scientist Ana Lucia Velasco noted a golden opportunity for the opposition.

From Barron's • May 21, 2026

Political instability in these countries are an added factor.

From MarketWatch • May 20, 2026

Political turmoil and the prospect of a leadership challenge risk unsettling investors and raising U.K. government borrowing costs.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

Two months later she wrote a letter to Montgomery’s mayor, W. A. “Tacky” Gayle, on behalf of the Women’s Political Council.

From "Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice" by Phillip Hoose