politics

[ pol-i-tiks ]

/ ˈpɒl ɪ tɪks /

noun (used with a singular or plural verb)

the science or art of political government.

the practice or profession of conducting political affairs.

political affairs: The advocated reforms have become embroiled in politics.

political methods or maneuvers: We could not approve of his politics in winning passage of the bill.

political principles or opinions: We avoided discussion of religion and politics. His politics are his own affair.

use of intrigue or strategy in obtaining any position of power or control, as in business, university, etc.

(initial capital letter, italics) a treatise (4th century b.c.) by Aristotle, dealing with the structure, organization, and administration of the state, especially the city-state as known in ancient Greece.

Idioms for politics

play politics,

to engage in political intrigue, take advantage of a political situation or issue, resort to partisan politics, etc.; exploit a political system or political relationships.
to deal with people in an opportunistic, manipulative, or devious way, as for job advancement.

Origin of politics

First recorded in 1520–30; see origin at politic, -ics

OTHER WORDS FROM politics

an·ti·pol·i·tics, adjective pro·pol·i·tics, adjective

Words nearby politics

politicize, politick, politicking, politico, politico-, politics, politics makes strange bedfellows, polity, politzer bag, politzerization, polje

British Dictionary definitions for play politics

politics

/ (ˈpɒlɪtɪks) /

noun

(functioning as singular) the practice or study of the art and science of forming, directing, and administrating states and other political units; the art and science of government; political science

(functioning as singular) the complex or aggregate of relationships of people in society, esp those relationships involving authority or power

(functioning as plural) political activities or affairs party politics

(functioning as singular) the business or profession of politics

(functioning as singular or plural) any activity concerned with the acquisition of power, gaining one's own ends, etc company politics are frequently vicious

(functioning as plural) opinions, principles, sympathies, etc, with respect to politics his conservative politics

(functioning as plural)

the policy-formulating aspects of government as distinguished from the administrative, or legal
the civil functions of government as distinguished from the military

Idioms and Phrases with play politics (1 of 2)

play politics

Act for personal or political gain rather than principle, as in I don't think this judge is fair—he's playing politics. [Mid-1800s]

Idioms and Phrases with play politics (2 of 2)

politics

see play politics.

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

politics

noun (used with a singular or plural verb)

Idioms for politics

Origin of politics

OTHER WORDS FROM politics

Words nearby politics

British Dictionary definitions for play politics

noun

Idioms and Phrases with play politics (1 of 2)

Idioms and Phrases with play politics (2 of 2)

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

politics

noun (used with a singular or plural verb)

Idioms for politics

Origin of politics

OTHER WORDS FROM politics

Words nearby politics

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noun

Idioms and Phrases with play politics (1 of 2)

Idioms and Phrases with play politics (2 of 2)

British Dictionary definitions for play politics