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

Smith for some time has dangled the prospect of running as an unconventional candidate against a field of career politicians, but there’s a big gap between not ruling out a run and actually doing it. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026

Pressure on British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is growing, after another key aide resigned over revelations about Epstein’s contact with a senior politician. —Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 13 Feb. 2026

That sparked a backlash in Germany, with some prominent conservative politicians calling for the Berlinale to be defunded. —Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026

Instead, some politicians want to let billion-dollar companies add to that burden by building huge data centers that need enormous amounts of electricity, drive up our utility bills and destroy our environment and quality of life without a public debate. —Natasha Sutherland, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 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