political

adjective

po·​lit·​i·​cal pə-ˈli-ti-kəl 

1

a

: of or relating to government, a government, or the conduct of government

b

: of, relating to, or concerned with the making as distinguished from the administration of governmental policy

2

: of, relating to, involving, or involved in politics and especially party politics

3

: organized in governmental terms

political units

4

: involving or charged or concerned with acts against a government or a political system

political prisoners

politically

pə-ˈli-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of political in a Sentence

The senator has changed political parties.

Health care has become a major political issue in recent years.

a group of political activists

We need a political solution rather than a military solution.

Recent Examples on the Web

This little addendum—that politics mean nothing to the Bret Easton Ellis of 2023—is eminently untrue, as anyone who has listened to his podcast, which often turns to political commentary, will attest. — Leo Lasdun, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2026

Specifically, the new way that political observers see campaign polling — through strategic scoops and online posts that get in front of influencers and fuel betting markets. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 5 Aug. 2026

Penn Station belongs to everyone, regardless of political affiliation. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2026

Of all the political dysfunction surrounding Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Teachers Union, the obsession with buildings is perhaps the most bizarre of all. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

politic or its source, Latin polīticus "of civil government, political" + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing political

• anti-political
• political action committee
• political animal
• political economy
• political favor
• political football
• political prisoner
• political science

Rhymes for political

• levitical
• noncritical
• subcritical
• uncritical
• analytical
• apolitical
• diacritical
• hypercritical
• hypocritical
• nonpolitical
• parasitical
• supercritical

Kids Definition

political

adjective

po·​lit·​i·​cal pə-ˈlit-i-kəl 

1

: of or relating to a government or the conduct of government

2

: of or relating to politics

3

: organized in governmental terms

political units

4

: involving, concerned with, or accused of acts against a government or political system

political prisoners

politically

-k(ə-)lē 

adverb