ideology

[ ahy-dee-ol-uh-jee, id-ee- ]
/ ˌaɪ diˈɒl ə dʒi, ˌɪd i- /

noun, plural i·de·ol·o·gies.

the body of doctrine, myth, belief, etc., that guides an individual, social movement, institution, class, or large group.
such a body of doctrine, myth, etc., with reference to some political and social plan, as that of fascism, along with the devices for putting it into operation.
Philosophy.
  1. the study of the nature and origin of ideas.
  2. a system that derives ideas exclusively from sensation.
theorizing of a visionary or impractical nature.

Origin of ideology

1790–1800; ideo- + -logy; compare French idéologie

Example sentences from the Web for ideology

British Dictionary definitions for ideology

ideology
/ (ˌaɪdɪˈɒlədʒɪ) /

noun plural -gies

a body of ideas that reflects the beliefs and interests of a nation, political system, etc and underlies political action
philosophy sociol the set of beliefs by which a group or society orders reality so as to render it intelligible
speculation that is imaginary or visionary
the study of the nature and origin of ideas

Derived forms of ideology

ideological (ˌaɪdɪəˈlɒdʒɪkəl) or ideologic, adjective ideologically, adverb

Medical definitions for ideology

ideology
[ ī′dē-ŏlə-jē, ĭd′ē- ]

n.

The body of ideas reflecting the social needs and aspirations of an individual, a group, a class, or a culture.

Cultural definitions for ideology

ideology
[ (eye-dee-ol-uh-jee, id-ee-ol-uh-jee) ]

A system of beliefs or theories, usually political, held by an individual or a group. Capitalism, communism, and socialism are usually called ideologies.