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

The author is an actor, writer and public policy advocate based in Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026

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

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

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