politics

[pol-i-tiks]

noun

(used with a singular or plural verb)

1. the science or art of political government.

2. the practice or profession of conducting political affairs.

3. political affairs.

   The advocated reforms have become embroiled in politics.

4. political methods or maneuvers.

   We could not approve of his politics in winning passage of the bill.

5. political principles or opinions.

   We avoided discussion of religion and politics. His politics are his own affair.

6. use of intrigue or strategy in obtaining any position of power or control, as in business, university, etc.

7. (initial capital letter, italics),  a treatise (4th century b.c.) by Aristotle, dealing with the structure, organization, and administration of the state, especially the city-state as known in ancient Greece.

politics

/ ˈpɒlɪtɪks /

noun

1. (functioning as singular) the practice or study of the art and science of forming, directing, and administrating states and other political units; the art and science of government; political science

2. (functioning as singular) the complex or aggregate of relationships of people in society, esp those relationships involving authority or power

3. (functioning as plural) political activities or affairs

   party politics

4. (functioning as singular) the business or profession of politics

5. (functioning as singular or plural) any activity concerned with the acquisition of power, gaining one's own ends, etc

   company politics are frequently vicious

6. (functioning as plural) opinions, principles, sympathies, etc, with respect to politics

   his conservative politics

7. (functioning as plural)

   1. the policy-formulating aspects of government as distinguished from the administrative, or legal

   2. the civil functions of government as distinguished from the military

Other Word Forms

• antipolitics adjective
• propolitics adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of politics¹

First recorded in 1520–30; politic, -ics

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. play politics,

   1. to engage in political intrigue, take advantage of a political situation or issue, resort to partisan politics, etc.; exploit a political system or political relationships.

   2. to deal with people in an opportunistic, manipulative, or devious way, as for job advancement.

see play politics.

Example Sentences

That makes it simultaneously relevant to this moment in our culture and politics, as well as a fantasy.

From Salon

“We are not here to debate politics or platforms or to argue about east or west. And ‘Red Alert’ is the very embodiment of that mission, and I couldn’t be prouder to support this series.”

From Los Angeles Times

That said, there is a huge difference between a press staffer getting his jollies on social media and the assistant attorney general of the United States playing politics with personal calamity.

From Los Angeles Times

For all her passion about what she sees as institutional injustice, Lauper takes a generous view of individuals whose politics diverge from hers.

From Los Angeles Times

Who wouldn’t want a bit of boring in their politics today, if it’s seasoned with compassion and common sense?

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• campaigning www.thesaurus.com
• government