policy
POL-uh-see
Policy (noun) means a course of action or set of principles adopted by a government, organization, or person. Example: “The company changed its return policy last month.”
noun
1
A course of action or set of principles adopted by a government, organization, or person.
"The company changed its return policy last month."
"The government's foreign policy came under heavy criticism."
"Our school has a strict policy on using phones during lessons."
2
A contract of insurance.
"Check your policy to see what damage it actually covers."
"He renewed his car insurance policy just before it expired."
"She keeps her home policy in a folder with the other important papers."
How to use policy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn official plan or set of rules for how something should be done, or an insurance contract.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "policy" as in insurance — same word, different context, and easily distinguished by the surrounding sentence.
Common pairings
company policy
insurance policy
foreign policy
set a policy
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Word forms
- Plural
- policies
- Third person singular
- policies
- Past tense
- policied
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The company changed its return _____ last month.
Etymology
From Old French policie, from Latin politia, "citizenship, government." A doublet of "police" and "polity."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for policy
See all rhymes for policy →Frequently asked questions
What does “policy” mean?
The word “policy” means a course of action or set of principles adopted by a government, organization, or person. In plain terms, an official plan or set of rules for how something should be done, or an insurance contract.
How do you pronounce “policy”?
“Policy” is pronounced POL-uh-see (/ˈpɑ.lə.si/ in IPA).
How do you use “policy” in a sentence?
Here is “policy” used in a sentence: “The company changed its return policy last month.”
What is another word for “policy”?
Words with a similar meaning to “policy” include policy racket.
What part of speech is “policy”?
“Policy” is a noun.
Where does the word “policy” come from?
The word “policy” comes from Latin. From Old French policie, from Latin politia, "citizenship, government." A doublet of "police" and "polity.".
Is “policy” a common word?
“Policy” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “policy” have?
“Policy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a course of action or set of principles adopted by a government, organization, or person.
What is the difference between a policy and a law?
A policy is a chosen course of action or set of guiding principles adopted by a government, company, or person. A law is a formal rule enforced by the state, with penalties for breaking it. Policies shape and justify laws, but a policy alone is not legally binding the way a law is.
What is the difference between a policy and a procedure?
A policy states the principle and intent — what an organization will do and why. A procedure sets out the practical steps — exactly how to carry the policy out, in order. The policy is the rule; the procedure is the method. One guides decisions, the other guides day-to-day actions.
What are the types of policy?
Policy takes many forms. Public policy is set by governments to guide society, covering areas like health, education, and the economy. Organizational policy governs how a company or institution operates internally. An insurance policy is a contract of cover. People even speak of a personal policy — a private rule someone lives by.
What is an example of a policy?
A company might adopt a remote-work policy stating that staff may work from home three days a week. A government might set a policy of free healthcare for all citizens. Each is a settled principle guiding future decisions, rather than a one-off choice, and it shapes how the group consistently acts.
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