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

Haslam is unforgiving, in particular, of Bill Clinton’s policymaking over eight crucial years that led to the admission of the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland to NATO. —Samuel Moyn, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025

Their concern was that an expanding deficit, business-unfriendly tariffs, and chaotic policymaking created a difficult environment for businesses. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 15 July 2025

The Clean Energy Alliance Board of Directors unanimously approved the 2025-26 budget on June 26, with questions over how federal policymaking might impact the agency’s finances in the years to come. —Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 June 2025

While Asian equities edged higher, broader gauges of investor sentiment remained relatively subdued, reflecting a market that is potentially getting desensitized by America’s policymaking. —Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 24 June 2025

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