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

In previous court filings, Adams’ defense sought to frame the article as evidence Williams acted with political motivations in bringing the case, a claim the judge presiding over Adams’ prosecution categorically rejected. —Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2025

The dismantling of the CFPB — an agency funded through the Fed in order to maintain independence from the political process — took center stage during Powell’s hearing before the Senate Banking Committee, part of his semiannual monetary policy report to Congress. —Bryan Mena, CNN, 11 Feb. 2025

In addition to rock-solid security, this group of 56,000 people would have outsize political influence. —Steve Forbes, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2025

Throughout the 2010s, celebrities ran amok with political symbolism that cued to pro-Blackness and radical ideas. —Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2025

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