politician

noun pol·i·ti·cian \ ˌpä-lə-ˈti-shən \

Definition of politician

1 :a person experienced in the art or science of government; especially :one actively engaged in conducting the business of a government

2 a :a person engaged in party politics as a profession

b often disparaging :a person primarily interested in political office for selfish or other narrow usually short-sighted reasons

See politician defined for English-language learners

See politician defined for kids

Recent Examples of politician from the Web

Key Treasury market industry groups are dusting off plans developed ahead of previous debt-ceiling showdowns in a bid to lessen the potential market disruption should politicians fail to raise America’s borrowing capacity in time.

— alex harris, Bloomberg.com, "Debt Ceiling Anxiety Tracker: Wall Street Is Taking No Chances," 30 Aug. 2017
The no-frills breakfast and lunch spot has drawn loyal customers — including big-name celebrities and politicians — since the ’40s.

— suzanne loudermilk, baltimoresun.com, "The new Jimmy's in Fells Point may upset the purists — but its food deserves a shot," 30 Aug. 2017
Crises, and especially natural disasters, create a special kind of challenge for any politician, but especially for a president.

— david a. graham, The Atlantic, "Trump's Empathy Deficit," 29 Aug. 2017
Meanwhile, the city remains on the brink of bankruptcy and politicians still haven’t approved a state budget, throwing districts across Connecticut into a lurch as the school year gets underway.

— Courant Community, "For Hartford Teachers, A Call For Perseverance In 'Challenging Times'," 28 Aug. 2017
These women are scientists, lawyers, veterans, and activists who refuse to stand by while politicians strip away their rights.

— zahra barnes, SELF, "5 Things to Be Thankful for on Women's Equality Day," 26 Aug. 2017
Beshear has sued Bevin four times over his use of executive authority to overhaul state government, igniting a bitter feud between the two politicians.

— The Courier-Journal, "Kentucky GOP senator plans to challenge Democrat Andy Beshear for attorney general in 2019," 22 Aug. 2017
While there's not a politician in sight, every image that appears onscreen is grotesque.

— amy mackelden, Marie Claire, "The Latest 'AHS: Cult' Trailer Is a Terrifying Horror Montage," 19 Aug. 2017
The South Koreans know it too, which is why even their more hardline politicians don’t actually want to go to war with the north.

— jonah shepp, Daily Intelligencer, "Bannon Is Right: There Is No Real Military Solution to the North Korea Problem," 18 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'politician.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

POLITICIAN Defined for English Language Learners

politician

noun

Definition of politician for English Language Learners

: someone who is active in government usually as an elected official

POLITICIAN Defined for Kids

politician

noun pol·i·ti·cian \ ˌpä-lə-ˈti-shən \

Definition of politician for Students

:a person who is active in government usually as an elected official

Learn More about politician

See words that rhyme with politician Spanish Central: Translation of politician Nglish: Translation of politician for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of politician for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up politician? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

politician

Definition of politician

Recent Examples of politician from the Web

Other Government and Politics Terms

POLITICIAN Defined for English Language Learners

politician

Definition of politician for English Language Learners

POLITICIAN Defined for Kids

politician

Definition of politician for Students

Learn More about politician

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

knee-jerk

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

The Synonyms 'Discover' and 'Invent'

I'll Have the Us(ual)

The Origins of 'Lobbyist'

The History of the Word 'Terrorism'

Ask the Editors

Words of the Year: 1066

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Irregardless

Weird Plurals

Word Games

The Exceptions Quiz III

Forms of Government Quiz

True or False?

Word Winder's CrossWinder

The Synonyms 'Discover' and 'Invent'

Trending: NY Times: Trump's Call Ignites 'Imbroglio'

The Exceptions Quiz III

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Words of the Year: 1066

politician

Definition of politician

Explore M-W

Recent Examples of politician from the Web

Other Government and Politics Terms

POLITICIAN Defined for English Language Learners

politician

Definition of politician for English Language Learners

POLITICIAN Defined for Kids

politician

Definition of politician for Students

Learn More about politician

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

The Synonyms 'Discover' and 'Invent'

Trending: NY Times: Trump's Call Ignites 'Imbroglio'

The Exceptions Quiz III

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Words of the Year: 1066