political

adjective

po·​lit·​i·​cal pə-ˈli-ti-kəl 

1

a

: of or relating to government, a government, or the conduct of government

b

: of, relating to, or concerned with the making as distinguished from the administration of governmental policy

2

: of, relating to, involving, or involved in politics and especially party politics

3

: organized in governmental terms

political units

4

: involving or charged or concerned with acts against a government or a political system

political prisoners

politically

pə-ˈli-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of political in a Sentence

The senator has changed political parties.

Health care has become a major political issue in recent years.

a group of political activists

We need a political solution rather than a military solution.

Recent Examples on the Web

Questions about the nature of political violence are as universal and timeless as those of truth and justice. —Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024

The other Republicans are Lanhee Chen, a policy advisor and academic, and Steve Hilton, a political strategist who co-founded a think tank with Chen. —Grant Stringer, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024

The Hungarian leader, whose country’s population totals under 10 million, has become Trump’s closest political ally in Europe, invited to the White House in 2019 and to Mar-a-Lago in July. —Trudy Rubin, Twin Cities, 13 Nov. 2024

The State Department is advising against travel to Haiti in the midst of violent political turmoil. —Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 12 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

politic or its source, Latin polīticus "of civil government, political" + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing political

• anti-political
• political action committee
• political animal
• political economy
• political favor
• political football
• political prisoner
• political science

Kids Definition

political

adjective

po·​lit·​i·​cal pə-ˈlit-i-kəl 

1

: of or relating to a government or the conduct of government

2

: of or relating to politics

3

: organized in governmental terms

political units

4

: involving, concerned with, or accused of acts against a government or political system

political prisoners

politically

-k(ə-)lē 

adverb