political

po·lit·i·cal

adjective \pə-ˈli-ti-kəl\

Definition of POLITICAL

1

a : of or relating to government, a government, or the conduct of government

b : of, relating to, or concerned with the making as distinguished from the administration of governmental policy

2

: of, relating to, involving, or involved in politics and especially party politics

3

: organized in governmental terms <political units>

4

: involving or charged or concerned with acts against a government or a political system <political prisoners>

— po·lit·i·cal·ly \-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Examples of POLITICAL

1. The senator has changed political parties.
2. Health care has become a major political issue in recent years.
3. a group of political activists
4. We need a political solution rather than a military solution.

Origin of POLITICAL

Latin politicus

First Known Use: 1551

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

Rhymes with POLITICAL

form-critical, Levitical, New Critical, uncritical