polity

[ pol-i-tee ]

/ ˈpɒl ɪ ti /

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See synonyms for polity on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural pol·i·ties.

a particular form or system of government: civil polity; ecclesiastical polity.

the condition of being constituted as a state or other organized community or body: The polity of ancient Athens became a standard for later governments.

government or administrative regulation: The colonists demanded independence in matters of internal polity.

a state or other organized community or body.

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Origin of polity

1530–40; <Latin polītīa<Greek polīteía citizenship, government, form of government, commonwealth, equivalent to polī́te-, variant stem of polī́tēs citizen (see polis, -ite¹) + -ia-ia

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH polity

policy, polity

Words nearby polity

politick, politicking, politico, politics, Politics makes strange bedfellows, polity, Politzer bag, politzerization, polje, Polk, polka

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

How to use polity in a sentence

Sorry, I'm partisan, but I doubt I'm an unusual case in our polity.
Science! Study Finds Voters Don't Trust the Other Side, But Do Trust Their Own Elites|Justin Green|March 28, 2013|DAILY BEAST
We are in a depression because it is our revealed preference, as a polity, not to remedy the problem.
Can We Choose Recovery?|David Frum|April 19, 2012|DAILY BEAST
In any democratic polity, the voting public wants to identify with its leaders.
How Ethnic Can Our Politicians Be?|Reihan Salam|June 11, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Of course, traditional journalists and ideological activists are both needed if we're to maintain a healthy polity.
The Right's Bob Woodward?|Conor Friedersdorf|September 15, 2009|DAILY BEAST

Those who approve of their polity countenance what is hostile to his government, and thus act as his enemies.
The Ordinance of Covenanting|John Cunningham
The history of our polity at this time is closely connected with the history of one man.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.|Thomas Babington Macaulay
Switzerland, he urged, played so important a part in the European polity, that no one could be indifferent to its destiny.
The Life of Mazzini|Bolton King
But why should not a part of that fable have come true in our polity, as another part of it has come true in yours?
A Traveler from Altruria: Romance|William Dean Howells
Calvin exercised a great influence on the civil polity of Geneva, although it was established before he came to the city.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume VI|John Lord

British Dictionary definitions for polity

polity

/ (ˈpɒlɪtɪ) /

noun plural -ties

a form of government or organization of a state, church, society, etc; constitution

a politically organized society, state, city, etc

the management of public or civil affairs

political organization

Word Origin for polity

C16: from Latin polītīa, from Greek politeia citizenship, civil administration, from politēs citizen, from polis city

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

polity

Origin of polity

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH polity

Words nearby polity

Words related to polity

How to use polity in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for polity

Word Origin for polity