noun · verb · 11 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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Received-Pronunciation:/ˈpɒl.ɪ.tɪks/
Received-Pronunciation:/ˈpɒl.ə.tɪks/
UK:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
Canada, dialectal:/ˈpɒl.ɪ.tɪks/of the US
Canada, dialectal:/ˈpɒl.ə.tɪks/of the US
Australian:/ˈpɔl.ə.tɪks/
New-Zealand:/ˈpɒl.ə.təks/
New-Zealand:[ˈpɔ̟l.ə.təks]
South-Asia:/ˈpɔl.ɨ.tɪks/
South-Asia:/pɵl.ɨˈtɪks/
rhymes with -ɪks
CMU ARPABET:P AA1 L AH0 T IH2 K S
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
A methodology and activities associated with the interpersonal aspects of running a government, an organization, or a movement.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable
Examples
local politics
national politics
office politics
Most broadly, politics is everything that humans do, short of warfare, to influence or control each other; more narrowly, it is everything they do in a civilian context to determine the definitions of their polity, state, and government.
War is the continuation of politics by other means; war is politics with the addition of hyperviolence and extra-civilian scope.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
The profession of conducting political affairs.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable
Examples
He made a career out of politics.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
One's political stands and opinions.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Qualifier: treated as a plural noun
Examples
Their politics are clear from the bumper stickers on their cars.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
Political maneuvers or diplomacy between people, groups, or organizations, especially involving power, standing, influence or conflict.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
noun
Meaning 5
Real-world beliefs and social issues irrelevant to the topic at hand.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, informal, singular, uncountable
Examples
We're trying to talk about comic books, don't mention politics.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
verb
Meaning 6
third-person singular simple present indicative of politic
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract