ideology

noun

ide·​ol·​o·​gy ˌī-dē-ˈä-lə-jē  ˌi-dē-ˈä- 

variants or less commonly idealogy

ˌī-dē-ˈä-lə-jē  ˌī-dē-ˈa-  ˌi-dē-ˈä-  ˌi-dē-ˈa- 

plural ideologies

1

a

: a manner or the content of thinking characteristic of an individual, group, or culture

b

: the integrated assertions, theories and aims that constitute a sociopolitical program

c

: a systematic body of concepts especially about human life or culture

2

: visionary theorizing

ideologist

ˌī-dē-ˈä-lə-jist 

ˌi-

noun

Did you know?

Ideology has been in use in English since the end of the 18th century and is one of the few words whose coiner we can identify. The French writer A. L. C. Destutt de Tracy proposed it as a term to designate the “science of ideas,” and in that sense the word was quickly borrowed into English. Though ideology originated as a serious philosophical term, within a few decades it took on connotations of impracticality thanks to Napoleon, who used it in a derisive manner. Such connotations are still present in some contexts, but the word today is largely used neutrally, most often to refer to a systematic body of concepts, and especially to the set of ideas and beliefs held by a particular group or political party.

Synonyms

• credo
• creed
• doctrine
• dogma
• gospel
• philosophy
• testament

Examples of ideology in a Sentence

the ideology of a totalitarian society

He says that the election is not about ideology.

Recent Examples on the Web

The fact someone — whose motive and ideology remain unclear — sought to end his life has led to inevitable gibes about roosting chickens. —Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2024

Christians opposed to a nationalist ideology are among the leaders of the pushback, speaking in churches and at universities, countering spiritual warfare language with other biblical verses that emphasize compromise and peacemaking. —Hannah Allam, Washington Post, 13 July 2024

In May, a Maryland woman pleaded guilty to plotting to destroy the Baltimore power grid as part of a white supremacist ideology that promotes government collapse. —Minnah Arshad, USA TODAY, 13 July 2024

The push came just ahead of the RNC, which will take place downtown Monday through Thursday and is expected to draw visitors with competing political ideologies even as the city is prevented from prohibiting most guns in the area directly outside the main convention venues. —Alison Dirr, Journal Sentinel, 11 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

French idéologie, from idéo- ideo- + -logie -logy

First Known Use

1813, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

ideology

noun

ide·​ol·​o·​gy ˌīd-ē-ˈäl-ə-jē  ˌid- 

plural ideologies

: ideas characteristic of a person, group, or political party

ideologi cal

-ē-ə-ˈläj-i-kəl

adjective

ideologically

-i-k(ə-)lē

adverb

ideologist

-ē-ˈäl-ə-jəst 

noun

Medical Definition

ideology

noun

ide·​ol·​o·​gy ˌīd-ē-ˈäl-ə-jē  ˌid- 

variants also idealogy

-ˈäl-ə-jē  -ˈal- 

plural ideologies

1

: a systematic body of concepts especially about human life or culture

2

: a manner or the content of thinking characteristic of an individual, group, or culture

ideological adjective

also idealogical

ˌīd-ē-ə-ˈläj-i-kəl 

ideologically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb