politico

noun

po·​lit·​i·​co pə-ˈli-ti-ˌkō How to pronounce politico (audio)
plural politicos also politicoes

Examples of politico in a Sentence

a politico who will do anything to win an election
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There’s a strange irony—though, perhaps, little surprise—that this is how the bombastic Tory politico is now spending his time. Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 25 June 2026 The rise and fall of the Adams administration Adams, a retired NYPD captain turned Brooklyn politico, served one term as mayor of New York, from 2022 to 2025. Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 24 June 2026 The worms, not the anti-science politicos. Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 12 June 2026 Such a link however is characteristic of radicalization more generally, and indeed the strange story of Helter Skelter—the official script, certainly, but not only—becomes straightforward as soon as it is read as belonging to the longer history of politico-religious extremism, or terrorism. Literary Hub, 26 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for politico

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Italian politico and Spanish político, both derivatives of the corresponding adjectives politico and político "political," borrowed from Latin polīticus "of civil government, political" — more at politic

First Known Use

1630, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of politico was in 1630

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Cite this Entry

“Politico.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/politico. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.

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