politician

noun

pol·​i·​ti·​cian ˌpä-lə-ˈti-shən 

1

: a person experienced in the art or science of government

especially : one actively engaged in conducting the business of a government

2

a

: a person engaged in party politics as a profession

b

often disparaging : a person primarily interested in political office for selfish or other narrow usually short-sighted reasons

Examples of politician in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The announcement on Monday threw fuel on the fire to push Sacramento politicians to do more to help out the Golden State’s most iconic industry. — Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 2 Nov. 2026

These included putting politicians in charge of appointing new judges (previously, the responsibility had belonged to fellow judges) and creating a new avenue for judges to be disciplined. — Nick Tabor, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Nov. 2026

The small-boat crossings have been depicted as a crisis by politicians including Nigel Farage of the hard-right party Reform UK, and have been used as a rallying point by anti-immigration activists. — Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026

Laurin said politicians and political elites try to paint their opponents as extreme to frighten and fire up their voters. — Frank Langfitt, NPR, 2 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

politic or politic(s) + -ian entry 1

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for politician

• abolition
• acquisition
• admonition
• ammunition
• apparition
• apposition
• coalition
• competition
• composition
• definition
• deglutition
• demolition

Kids Definition

politician

noun

pol·​i·​ti·​cian ˌpäl-ə-ˈtish-ən 

: a person who takes an active part in party politics or in government business