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

Polyak points to her proposals to end prior authorization for routine and emergency care and prohibit private-equity firms from owning hospitals as examples of how doctors could bring their clinical experience into policymaking. — Angela Haupt, Time, 4 Nov. 2026

If Democrats capture one chamber of Congress, Washington policymaking would become significantly more gridlocked. — Garrett Downs, CNBC, 3 Nov. 2026

This policymaking failure leaves a void that is filled by presidents through executive orders and other administrative policymaking. — Dan Lipinski, Baltimore Sun, 27 Oct. 2026

Artificial intelligence in the classroom is a hot topic, and one Minnesota school district is aiming to get on top of the tech with a new policymaking group. — Frankie McLister, CBS News, 21 Oct. 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