politics

From the adjective politic, by analogy with Aristotle’s τα πολιτικά (ta politiká, “affairs of state”).

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈpɑl.ɪˌtɪks/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈpɒl.ɪ.tɪks/

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• Hyphenation: pol‧i‧tics

politics (countable and uncountable, plural politics)

1. (countable) A methodology and activities associated with running a government, an organization, or a movement.
   • 1996, Jan Jindy Pettman, Worlding Women: A feminist international politics, pages ix-x:

     There are by now many feminisms (Tong, 1989; Humm, 1992). [...] They are in shifting alliance or contest with postmodern critiques, which at times seem to threaten the very category 'women' and its possibilities for a feminist politics.

2. (countable) The profession of conducting political affairs.

   He made a career out of politics.

3. (countable) One's political stands and opinions.

   Their politics are clear from the bumper stickers on their cars.

4. (uncountable) Political maneuvers or diplomacy between people, groups, or organizations, especially involving power, influence or conflict.
   • 1999, Ian McDiarmid as Senator Palpatine, Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, written by George Lucas:

     There is no stability; only politics. The Republic is not what it once was. The Senate is full of greedy, squabbling delegates. There is no interest in the common good.

politics

1. Third-person singular simple present indicative form of politic

• politics in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• politics in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.

• colpitis, psilotic