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

progressive/liberal/conservative ideology

b

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

said that the election was not about ideology

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 of ideology

• philosophy
• doctrine

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

Greater Israel is a political and religious ideology that says a majority of the Middle East should be part of the state of Israel. —Yarden Segev, NBC news, 13 Apr. 2026

President Ahmed al-Sharaa is a one-time al-Qaeda commander who renounced the ideology before taking power. —Jane Arraf, NPR, 11 Apr. 2026

Dolores is a tribute to all of us to continue the struggle for justice and humanity — not to be caught up in an ideology for a cause that is greater than our basic human needs for kindness, dignity and belonging. —Lynn Dewoskin Covarrubias, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2026

In Fehér’s telling, Orbán melds Russian-style tactics with the ideology of the American far right. —Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1813, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for ideology

• aetiology
• anthropology
• archaeology
• archeology
• audiology
• cardiology
• climatology
• cohomology
• cosmetology
• criminology
• demonology
• dermatology

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