politics
POL-ih-tihks
Politics (noun) means the activities and methods involved in governing a country, organization, or group. Example: “Local politics often decides whether a new park or a car park gets built.”
noun
1
The activities and methods involved in governing a country, organization, or group.
"Local politics often decides whether a new park or a car park gets built."
"He has spent his whole career in politics, working for town councils."
"She studied politics at university before running for office herself."
2
A person's views or opinions on political matters.
"Her politics changed a lot as she grew older and travelled abroad."
"I do not share my uncle's politics, but we still get along well."
"We rarely discuss politics at family dinners."
3
Internal power struggles or manoeuvring within a group.
"I left the committee because I was tired of the petty politics."
"There was so much politics in the department that nobody trusted anyone."
"Office politics made it hard to get anything approved."
How to use politics
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe activity of governing, one's political beliefs, or internal power struggles in any group.
Common pairings
office politics
talk politics
party politics
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Word forms
- Plural
- politicses
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Local _____ often decides whether a new park or a car park gets built.
Etymology
From the adjective "politic," modeled on Aristotle's ta politika, "affairs of the city/state."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for politics
See all rhymes for politics →Frequently asked questions
What does “politics” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “politics”?
“Politics” is pronounced POL-ih-tihks (/ˈpɑ.lɪ.tɪks/ in IPA).
How do you use “politics” in a sentence?
Here is “politics” used in a sentence: “She studied politics at university before running for office herself.”
What part of speech is “politics”?
“Politics” is a noun.
Is “politics” a common word?
“Politics” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “politics” have?
“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.
What is the difference between politics and policy?
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.
What is the difference between politics and government?
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.
Can politics exist outside of government?
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.
Is politics a good or bad thing?
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.
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