public policy

American  

[puhb-lik pol-uh-see] / ˈpʌb lɪk ˈpɒl ə si /

noun

1. 1. the body of laws and other measures that affect the general public.

      These officeholders are creating public policy on important issues including affordable housing and the environment.

   2. the underlying principles, values, or objectives that inform these laws and other measures: In a secular state, no religion can become the basis of public policy.

      The Institute participates in shaping public debate and public policy through inquiry and dialogue.

      In a secular state, no religion can become the basis of public policy.

2. Law. the principle that injury to the public good or public order constitutes a basis for declaring an act or transaction illegal or invalid.

   The principle of public policy requires that we judge the tendency of the contract at the time when it was entered into.

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Etymology

Origin of public policy

First recorded in 1775–85

Example Sentences

There should be time, said Erin Koeppel, the CFP Board’s managing director of government relations & public policy.

From MarketWatch • Jul. 2, 2026

Robert Gamboa, associate director of public policy at the L.A.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 23, 2026

If under Burnham "the government sets out a credible economic and fiscal strategy then the markets will be fine", Jonathan Portes, a professor of economics and public policy at King's College, London told AFP.

From Barron's • Jun. 23, 2026

She trained as a solicitor and worked in public policy before entering parliament.

From BBC • Jun. 22, 2026

At Harvard, I could study law while pursuing a graduate degree in public policy at the Kennedy School of Government, which appealed to me.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson