policymaker

noun

pol·​i·​cy·​mak·​er ˈpä-lə-sē-ˌmā-kər 

variants or less commonly policy maker or policy-maker

plural policymakers also policy makers or policy-makers

: someone who is responsible for or involved in establishing policy

economic policymakers

He had been a policymaker under four Republican and Democratic Presidents and had spent years on Capitol Hill fencing with congressional committees and lobbying for votes.

—William Greider

Examples of policymaker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Fed policymakers unanimously supported the rate hike, compared with late July when the central bank kept rates steady and three officials dissented in favor of higher rates. — Democrat-Gazette Stafffrom Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 17 Sep. 2026

Even with that, policymakers must continue evaluating whether survivor benefits adequately reflect the long-term economic realities facing military families, while improving coordination and accessibility across programs. — Cristina Johnson, Hartford Courant, 16 Sep. 2026

Given the range of views expressed by policymakers in recent weeks, there was widespread speculation that at least one voter would dissent, with much of the speculation centered on Governor Christopher Waller. — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026

Rachel Barber Fed policymakers last changed the federal funds rate in December 2025, concluding a three-meeting streak of quarter-point cuts that began in September. — Rachel Barber, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for policymaker

• automaker
• boilermaker
• cabinetmaker
• coffeemaker
• troublemaker
• undertaker
• blackacre
• caretaker
• clockmaker
• dressmaker
• filmmaker
• homemaker