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

Still others worry that by raising alarms about a hypothetical extinction risk, some may be seeking to direct policymaking in a way that could benefit some companies over others. — Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026

Know More The Treasury chief became an even more active participant in AI policymaking earlier this year after financial institutions told him advanced AI systems could make their systems vulnerable, as Semafor has reported. — Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 22 Sep. 2026

Forde stressed that data is essential for effective policymaking but remains fragmented across the complex industry. — Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 21 Sep. 2026

The rise of far-right populism in Europe’s biggest economy, which has for decades been viewed as a bastion of stability, centrist policymaking and EU leadership, is being closely watched across the continent. — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 21 Sep. 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