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

European customers increasingly want to understand what providers can guarantee when political circumstances change. — Margot Edelman, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026

Get unlimited access to Washington Examiner's midterm coverage, analysis, and political insights. — Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026

Kagame has led the country for decades, and his government has long been accused of abuses over its treatment of political opponents, journalists and other critics. — Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2026

But there is no reasonable dispute over whether the ad is legitimate political comment. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 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