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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

public policy

The agenda is big on healthier lunches in schools, and the campaign is calling for public policy to “integrate healthy food into how Michigan delivers healthcare.”

From Slate ● Oct. 7, 2026

She says a major shift occurred in the 1990s when parenting became an increasing focus of public policy.

From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026

Bhadelia, who oversees Americas public policy at Cohere, told MarketWatch that there remains “fundamental scientific disagreement in that space.”

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 19, 2026

Next month, leaders in medicine, science and public policy will gather for the annual World Health Summit.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026

As an undergraduate at Cornell, he started off as a public policy major.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove

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