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

Miran discussed the role of the Taylor rule in monetary policymaking, which is a guide central bankers use that factors in the neutral rate, inflation and measures of economic output. —Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025

It is now considered common knowledge in Washington policymaking circles that China aims to replace the United States as the dominant global superpower and to aggressively expand its territory. —David C. Kang, Foreign Affairs, 19 Sep. 2025

Another explanation is that there is no real policymaking process in this administration. —Thomas Friedman, Mercury News, 18 Sep. 2025

What To Watch For Thursday’s CPI data will be the final major economic report to be considered by the Fed’s policymaking board ahead of its next meeting on Sept. 17. —Ty Roush, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 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