Adjacent Words

Politics definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

POL'ITICS, n. The science of government; that part of ethics which consists in the regulation and government of a nation or state, for the preservation of its safety, peace and prosperity; comprehending the defense of its existence and rights against foreign control or conquest, the augmentation of its strength and resources, and the protection of its citizens in their rights, with the preservation and improvement of their morals. Politics, as a science or an art, is a subject of vast extent and importance.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: social relations involving intrigue to gain authority or power; "office politics is often counterproductive" [syn: politics, political relation]
2: the study of government of states and other political units [syn: politics, political science, government]
3: the profession devoted to governing and to political affairs
4: the opinion you hold with respect to political questions [syn: politics, political sympathies]
5: the activities and affairs involved in managing a state or a government; "unemployment dominated the politics of the inter-war years"; "government agencies multiplied beyond the control of representative politics"

Merriam Webster's

noun plural but singular or plural in construction Etymology: Greek politika, from neuter plural of politikos political Date: circa 1529 1. a. 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 3. a. 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 5. a. 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>

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n.pl. 1 (treated as sing. or pl.) a the art and science of government. b public life and affairs as involving authority and government. 2 (usu. treated as pl.) a a particular set of ideas, principles, or commitments in politics (what are their politics?). b activities concerned with the acquisition or exercise of authority or government. c an organizational process or principle affecting authority, status, etc. (the politics of the decision).

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Politics Pol"i*tics, n. [Cf. F. politique, Gr. ? (sc.?). See Politic.] 1. The science of government; that part of ethics which has to do with the regulation and government of a nation or state, the preservation of its safety, peace, and prosperity, the defense of its existence and rights against foreign control or conquest, the augmentation of its strength and resources, and the protection of its citizens in their rights, with the preservation and improvement of their morals. 2. The management of a political party; the conduct and contests of parties with reference to political measures or the administration of public affairs; the advancement of candidates to office; in a bad sense, artful or dishonest management to secure the success of political candidates or parties; political trickery. When we say that two men are talking politics, we often mean that they are wrangling about some mere party question. --F. W. Robertson.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English. 1. Politics are the actions or activities concerned with achieving and using power in a country or society. The verb that follows politics may be either singular or plural. The key question in British politics was how long the prime minister could survive... The film takes no position on the politics of Northern Ireland... Politics is by no means the only arena in which women are excelling. N-PLURAL see also party politics 2. Your politics are your beliefs about how a country ought to be governed. My politics are well to the left of centre. N-PLURAL: usu with poss 3. Politics is the study of the ways in which countries are governed. He began studying politics and medieval history. ...young politics graduates. 4. Politics can be used to talk about the ways that power is shared in an organization and the ways it is affected by personal relationships between people who work together. The verb that follows politics may be either singular or plural. You need to understand how office politics influence the working environment. N-PLURAL

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

n. pl. 1. Political science, political economy, science of government. 2. Political affairs, party politics.

Moby Thesaurus

Geopolitik, Machiavellianism, Machiavellism, civics, diplomacy, diplomatics, geopolitics, government, international relations, jobbery, jobbing, machination, manipulation, poli-sci, political behavior, political economy, political geography, political philosophy, political science, political theory, public administration, statecraft, statesmanship