politics

The word “politics” means the activities and methods involved in governing a country, organization, or group. In plain terms, the activity of governing, one's political beliefs, or internal power struggles in any group.

“Politics” is pronounced POL-ih-tihks (/ˈpɑ.lɪ.tɪks/ in IPA).

Here is “politics” used in a sentence: “She studied politics at university before running for office herself.”

“Politics” is a noun.

“Politics” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

“Politics” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the activities and methods involved in governing a country, organization, or group.

Politics is the process — the debate, negotiation, and competition over who holds power and how decisions get made. Policy is the outcome: the actual plans, rules, and courses of action a government or group adopts. In short, politics is the activity that produces policy.

Government is the institution or body that holds authority and administers a country or organization. Politics is the activity by which people gain power, make decisions, and influence that government. One is the formal structure; the other is the ongoing contest and process that operates within it.

Yes. Although often linked to governing a country, politics arises wherever people compete for power or negotiate decisions — in workplaces, clubs, families, and organizations. "Office politics," for instance, describes the influence and maneuvering that shape decisions within a company, well away from any formal government.

Politics itself is neutral: it is simply how groups make collective decisions and share power. It can be constructive, resolving conflict peacefully and representing people's interests, or manipulative when driven by self-interest. The word's tone depends entirely on how the activity is conducted in practice.