politicking

American  

[pol-i-tik-ing] / ˈpɒl ɪˌtɪk ɪŋ /

noun

1. activity undertaken for political reasons or ends, as campaigning for votes before an election, making speeches, etc., or otherwise promoting oneself or one's policies.

---

politicking British  

/ ˈpɒlɪˌtɪkɪŋ /

noun

1. political activity, esp seeking votes

2. activity directed towards acquiring power and influence, achieving one's own goals, etc

---

Other Word Forms

• nonpoliticking
  noun
• politicker
  noun

Etymology

Origin of politicking

1925–30; politic (as v.) + -ing ¹, respelling to show non-assibilation of -c-

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

politicking

Long intertwined with protest and politicking thanks to quick creation times and near infinite reproducibility, printmaking is still being used in the activist realm today.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 10, 2026

"We have put him in the right forum to do his politicking," the prisons spokesman told the BBC, adding that Ampe did not show remorse when he appeared before the Prisons Council.

From BBC ● Dec. 19, 2025

In presenting many of his bills or ideas, he acted as if they should pass by dint of their sheer excellence—as if old-school politicking was unnecessary and even distasteful.

From Slate ● Dec. 29, 2024

The poll comes near the end of a period of intense politicking by both candidates and their supporters.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 3, 2024

COLIC: colicky frolic: frolicked, frolicker, frolicking GARLIC: garlicky mimic: mimicked, mimicking panic: panicked, panicking, panicky picnic: picnicked, picnicker, picnicking POLITICS: politicker, politicking traffic: trafficked, trafficker, trafficking playwright.

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner