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

Polls and other research consistently show that, from healthcare to the economy, rural and urban Americans actually agree on a wide range of public policy issues.

From Salon • May 12, 2026

The study also raises difficult questions about social mobility and public policy.

From Science Daily • May 6, 2026

Espinosa is an advisor of federal public policy and organizational development strategies for his consultancy company, Communities First Consulting.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

The plan also involves giving residents a say in shaping their high streets through citizen assemblies, which involve bringing groups of people together to debate public policy issues and make recommendations.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

The investigative journalist Jonathan Kwitny later argued that the case was “a fine example of what can happen when important matters of public policy are abandoned by government to the self-interest of corporations.”

From "Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal" by Eric Schlosser