pol·​i·​tics | \ ˈpä-lə-ˌtiks How to pronounce politics (audio) \

Definition of politics

1a : the art or science of government
b : the art or science concerned with guiding or influencing governmental policy
c : the art or science concerned with winning and holding control over a government
2 : political actions, practices, or policies
3a : political affairs or business especially : competition between competing interest groups or individuals for power and leadership (as in a government)
b : political life especially as a principal activity or profession
c : political activities characterized by artful and often dishonest practices
4 : the political opinions or sympathies of a person
5a : the total complex of relations between people living in society
b : relations or conduct in a particular area of experience especially as seen or dealt with from a political point of view office politics ethnic politics

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Playing Politics

Politics is a multifaceted word. It has a set of fairly specific meanings that are descriptive and nonjudgmental (such as “the art or science of government” and "political principles"), but it can and often does carry a negative meaning closely related to these (“political activities characterized by artful and often dishonest practices”). English is a flexible language, and it is not uncommon for a word to have multiple related meanings that run the connotative gamut from good to bad. Some of these have been around for a surprisingly long time. The negative sense of politics, as seen in the phrase play politics, for example, has been in use since at least 1853, when abolitionist Wendell Phillips declared: “We do not play politics; anti-slavery is no half-jest with us.”

Examples of politics in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Many of America’s friends around the world wonder if its domestic politics now trump international alliances. Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Aug. 2021 Since the 9/11 attacks, humanitarian considerations matter far less with politics of visas than the political fallout from a single accusation of coddling terrorists. Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 23 Aug. 2021 The fishery has become fraught with politics, as conflict between managers and user groups builds. Sabine Poux, Anchorage Daily News, 22 Aug. 2021 On Wednesday, Biden said masking mandates have nothing to do with politics but are safety measures to protect children. Arkansas Online, 20 Aug. 2021 Levy is less engaged with politics than Smith and much more present in her text than Cusk. BostonGlobe.com, 19 Aug. 2021 In January 2021, Lightfoot was included in a report from The Times which found that a number of British YouTubers are being funded by the Chinese government to produce videos that align with the country’s politics. Matt Burgess, Wired, 18 Aug. 2021 The sudden urgency to help Newsom extends all the way to the top of the Democratic Party, including President Joe Biden, while Republicans are cautiously gleeful at the prospect of toppling the governor of a state synonymous with liberal politics. Tal Kopan, San Francisco Chronicle, 17 Aug. 2021 Hochul, who has been in her position since 2015, has had a long history with New York state politics. Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2021

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

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First Known Use of politics

circa 1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for politics

Middle English Polletiques, Polytykys, as title of Aristotle's Politics, from politik "of spiritual or secular governance, political" + -iques, -ykys -ics, after Middle French politiques, polliticques and Medieval Latin polītica, after Greek tà politiká "public matters, civic affairs," from neuter plural of politikós "of citizens, civic, of a state, political, public" — more at politic

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Learn More About politics

Time Traveler for politics

Time Traveler

The first known use of politics was circa 1529

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Dictionary Entries Near politics

politico

politics

Politique

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Statistics for politics

Last Updated

29 Aug 2021

Cite this Entry

“Politics.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/politics. Accessed 30 Aug. 2021.

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More Definitions for politics

politics

noun

English Language Learners Definition of politics

: activities that relate to influencing the actions and policies of a government or getting and keeping power in a government
: the work or job of people (such as elected officials) who are part of a government
: the opinions that someone has about what should be done by governments : a person's political thoughts and opinions

politics

noun plural
pol·​i·​tics | \ ˈpä-lə-ˌtiks How to pronounce politics (audio) \

Kids Definition of politics

1 : the activities, actions, and policies that are used to gain and hold power in a government or to influence a government
2 : a person's opinions about the management of government
Hint: Politics can be used as a singular or a plural in writing and speaking. Politics has always interested me. The country's politics have changed.

More from Merriam-Webster on politics

Nglish: Translation of politics for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of politics for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about politics

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