policy

1 of 2

noun (1)

pol·​i·​cy ˈpä-lə-sē How to pronounce policy (audio)
plural policies
often attributive
1
a
: prudence or wisdom in the management of affairs
b
: management or procedure based primarily on material interest
2
a
: a definite course or method of action selected from among alternatives and in light of given conditions to guide and determine present and future decisions
b
: a high-level overall plan embracing the general goals and acceptable procedures especially of a governmental body

policy

2 of 2

noun (2)

plural policies
1
: a writing whereby a contract of insurance is made
2
a
: a daily lottery in which participants bet that certain numbers will be drawn from a lottery wheel

Examples of policy in a Sentence

Noun (1) it's always been my policy not to spread rumors you should have exercised greater policy in your online relationships and not divulged so much personal information
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
He was removed from the position during a 2022 recall amid backlash to his progressive policies. Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 May 2024 The Details: Return policy: Unlimited time frame Free shipping: Always Perks: Unlimited timing on returns Best for Basics: Gap From casual to formal wear, Baby Gap has it all. Maya Polton, Parents, 18 May 2024 Water policy is complicated and can take years to develop, said Zane Kessler, director of government relations at the Colorado River District. Elise Schmelzer, The Denver Post, 18 May 2024 Franklin was not on the board when the 2020 policy was approved, but has generally been the strongest board advocate for eliminating the department. Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2024 These e-commerce sites are operated under different terms and privacy policies than ABCNews.com. Kelsey Chapman, ABC News, 17 May 2024 It was enacted with virtually no discussion — a classic example of how trailer bills have become vehicles for governors and legislators to make major policy changes on the sly. Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 17 May 2024 According to the researchers, these trends suggest that educational and legal policy changes are to blame, rather than demographic changes. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 May 2024 There are other ways that Tennessee policies can limit womens’ choices. Alana Semuels, TIME, 17 May 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'policy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English policie, pollecye "art or practice of government, system of government, commonwealth, organization or conduct of affairs, practical skill, prudence," borrowed from Anglo-French policie, pollecie "governance, system of government" (Middle French also, "a political organization, the state, conduct, behavior"), borrowed from Late Latin polītīa "citizenship, political organization, government" — more at police entry 1

Note: The term is a doublet of police entry 1; see note at that entry.

Noun (2)

earlier police, pollecy (in the phrase police/pollecy of assurance, after French pollice d'assurance), borrowed from Middle French police, pollice "certificate, written proof," probably borrowed from Italian polizza, pollizza "receipt, promissory note," alteration of apodissa, appodissa (by absorption of initial a- by the definite article and shift of -d- to a lateral), borrowed from Medieval Latin apodixa, apodissa "receipt," borrowed from Middle Greek apódeixis, going back to Greek, "making known, proof," from apodeik-, stem of apodeíknymi, apodeiknýnai "to point out, make known, prove" + -sis -sis — more at apodictic

Note: The English variant with -cy is presumably assimilation to policy entry 1, ending in a familiar suffix; it appears to have displaced police at an early date. — Middle French police has also been taken as a loan from Old Occitan polissia, itself borrowed from Italian, or directly from Medieval Latin or Greek; the editors of Trésor de la langue française reject this on grounds of the location of the earliest citations. The shift of a dental to a lateral in (apodissa > polizza) is perhaps best explained as direct borrowing into Italian from vernacular Greek, where the dental would have been a voiced interdental fricative; as Italian lacked this sound, it was transferred as an -l- (compare the etymology of pilot entry 1). This alters somewhat the path of transmission in the etymology above, perhaps removing Medieval Latin as an intermediary.

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1565, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of policy was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near policy

Cite this Entry

“Policy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/policy. Accessed 22 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

policy

1 of 2 noun
pol·​i·​cy ˈpäl-ə-sē How to pronounce policy (audio)
plural policies
: a course of action chosen in order to guide people in making decisions
a country's foreign policy

policy

2 of 2 noun
plural policies
: a document that contains the agreement made by an insurance company with a person whose life or property is insured

Legal Definition

policy

1 of 2 noun
pol·​i·​cy ˈpä-lə-sē How to pronounce policy (audio)
plural policies
: an overall plan, principle, or guideline
especially : one formulated outside of the judiciary
obligated to consider legislative policy on the matter in their decision

policy

2 of 2 noun
plural policies
: a contract of insurance
also : the written instrument of such a contract

More from Merriam-Webster on policy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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