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Ideology was coined during which century?

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ideology

American  

[ahy-dee-ol-uh-jee, id-ee-] / ˌaɪ diˈɒl ə dʒi, ˌɪd i- /

noun

• ideologies
  plural

1. the body of doctrine, myth, belief, etc., that guides an individual, social movement, institution, class, or large group.

2. such a body of doctrine, myth, etc., with reference to some political and social plan, as that of fascism, along with the devices for putting it into operation.

3. Philosophy.

   1. the study of the nature and origin of ideas.

   2. a system that derives ideas exclusively from sensation.

4. theorizing of a visionary or impractical nature.

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ideology British  

/ ˌaɪdɪˈɒlədʒɪ /

noun

1. a body of ideas that reflects the beliefs and interests of a nation, political system, etc and underlies political action

2. philosophy sociol the set of beliefs by which a group or society orders reality so as to render it intelligible

3. speculation that is imaginary or visionary

4. the study of the nature and origin of ideas

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ideology Cultural  

1. A system of beliefs or theories, usually political, held by an individual or a group. Capitalism, communism, and socialism are usually called ideologies.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• ideological
  adjective
• ideologically
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• ideologies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of ideology

First recorded in 1790–1800; ideo- + -logy

Explanation

An ideology is a set of opinions or beliefs of a group or an individual. Very often ideology refers to a set of political beliefs or a set of ideas that characterize a particular culture. Capitalism, communism, socialism, and Marxism are ideologies. But not all -ism words are. Think: cronyism (a system of graft whereby friends unfairly help each other make money.) Our English noun is from French idéologie. The suffix –logy, used with many English words describing theories or doctrines, is from Greek logos "word, reason, speech, account."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ideology ideologies

She still clings to the destructive ideology that damaged Najya’s education.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 25, 2026

That philosophy was designed before Guardiola's appointment, and the Spaniard produced the purest form of City's footballing ideology.

From BBC ● Sep. 24, 2026

Owens understands that this incongruity between Kirk’s ideology and behavior unsettles people.

From Salon ● Sep. 8, 2026

To believe that even good women might see their minds betray them so spectacularly would be to rescind control over an entire ideology that helps organize your world.

From Slate ● Sep. 5, 2026

"This is very nice," I said, seeing her nearly closed eyes, her chin tilting upward, toward me, "but just what phase of our ideology should we discuss?"

From "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison

Baum has stressed that "my family and I firmly reject extremist ideologies and will not accept the AfD's appropriation of our name".

From Barron's ● Sep. 4, 2026

Prevent was set up 20 years ago to try to identify future potential terrorists and intervene in their lives, often by challenging hateful ideologies such as far right extremism or support for jihadist violence.

From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026

Over time, he and his apostles took on various ideologies, dropping them for new ones as times changed and power beckoned.

From Salon ● Jun. 25, 2026

In contrast, the rigid ideologies of homogenous teams “constrain portfolio choice” and make it less likely that the funds will “adapt to novel or changing environments.”

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 12, 2026

The document stated, “We may borrow . . . from foreign ideologies, but we reject the wholesale importation of foreign ideologies into Africa.”

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

• creed
• culture
• dogma
• outlook
• philosophy
• theory
• view