polity

noun

pol·​i·​ty ˈpä-lə-tē 

plural polities

1

: political organization

2

: a specific form of political organization

3

: a politically organized unit

4

a

: the form or constitution of a politically organized unit

b

: the form of government of a religious denomination

Examples of polity in a Sentence

the polities of medieval Italy

Recent Examples on the Web

From early in English history, monarchs attempting to consolidate power over local authorities needed a mechanism for tempering the severity of royal justice in order to secure the acceptance of the polity. —Bernadette Meyler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026

Much depends on what Washington does next and how Venezuela’s fractured polity responds. —Robert Muggah, Fortune, 5 Jan. 2026

One indicator of a polity’s health is whether a citizen can be punished merely for telling the truth about the law. —David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 5 Jan. 2026

Much depends on what Washington does next and how Venezuela’s fractured polity responds. —Robert Muggah, The Conversation, 4 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

probably borrowed from Late Latin polītīa "citizenship, political organization, constitution of a state, administrative direction," with ending conformed to -ity — more at police entry 1

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for polity

• jollity
• quality
• causality
• equality
• frivolity
• sodality
• inequality