policymaking

noun

pol·​i·​cy·​mak·​ing ˈpä-lə-sē-ˌmā-kiŋ 

variants or policy-making

: the act or practice of establishing policy

… Bloomberg described a world where cities, rather than nations, are the major players in both global competition and innovative policymaking …

—Rob Fischer

… leaked word … that all Iraq policymaking was being centralized at the White House …

—Michael Duffy et al.

—sometimes used before another noun

the policymaking process

The Fed's policymaking committee sets rates that serve as the benchmark for the interest rates charged on mortgages, car loans, credit cards, and certificates of deposit.

—Kevin G. Hall

The controller manages a state office of more than 1,400 workers and ensures tax dollars are efficiently and effectively spent. With a few exceptions, it is not a policymaking position.

—The East Bay Times (California)

Examples of policymaking in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Data is an increasingly valuable commodity across Africa, underpinning digital public services, AI development, trade, and better policymaking. —Vivianne Wandera, semafor.com, 17 June 2026

These problems are problems that exist at any level of policymaking. —Dana Taylor, USA Today, 17 June 2026

Bucking typical norms, former Fed Chair Jerome Powell Powell will cast a vote on interest rates as a member of the Fed's 12-person policymaking board. —Max Zahn, ABC News, 16 June 2026

In that light, Maryland’s Republicans have done much to become nearly irrelevant to state-level policymaking. —Anirban Basu, Baltimore Sun, 5 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for policymaking

• aching
• baking
• braking
• breaking
• caking
• faking
• flaking
• making
• quaking
• raking
• shaking
• slaking