politician

noun

pol·​i·​ti·​cian ˌpä-lə-ˈti-shən 

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

Examples of politician in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Tensions have surged in the West Bank, and extremist Israeli settler attacks against Palestinians have increased exponentially, emboldened by right-wing, ultra-nationalist politicians in Israel's government. — Arkansas Online, 21 Sep. 2026

His mom hung all of her kids’ report cards on the refrigerator, and his father encouraged him and his brothers—Zeke, now a prominent oncologist and bioethicist, and Rahm, a longtime Democratic politician—to come to dinner prepared to debate. — Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 21 Sep. 2026

In the ’90s, politicians began blaming video games like Mortal Kombat and Doom for real-world violence, and shooter games have remained a recurring scapegoat ever since. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026

Like many Labour Party politicians, Burnham was strongly critical of Trump in the past. — ABC News, 21 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

politic or politic(s) + -ian entry 1

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for politician

• abolition
• acquisition
• admonition
• ammunition
• apparition
• apposition
• coalition
• competition
• composition
• definition
• deglutition
• demolition

Kids Definition

politician

noun

pol·​i·​ti·​cian ˌpäl-ə-ˈtish-ən 

: a person who takes an active part in party politics or in government business