Policy Meaning
/ˈpɒl.ə.si/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA principle of behaviour, conduct which an entity (government, organization, etc.) applies or seeks to follow, especially as formally expressed by an authoritative body.
nounA document describing such a policy.
Sentence Examples
Are you in favor of or against that policy?
Your policy is mistaken.
The present government’s policy on education
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The large company changed its official ____ regarding employees working from home.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The company introduced a new ____ requiring all employees to complete annual cybersecurity training.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English policie, from Old French policie, pollicie and police, from Late Latin politia (“citizenship; government”), classical Latin polītīa (in Cicero), from Ancient Greek πολιτεία (politeía, “citizenship; polis, (city) state; government”), from πολίτης (polítēs, “citizen”). Doublet of police, polis (“police”), and polity.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"[H]e [Richard I of England] was diſcovered in an inne in Auſtria, becauſe he diſguiſed his perſon not his expenſes; ſo that the very policie of an hoſteſſe, finding his purſe ſo farre above his clothes, did detect him: […]"
— 1639, Thomas Fuller, “King Richard Taken Prisoner in Austria; Sold and Sent to the Emperour; Dearly Ransomed, Returneth Home”, in The Historie of the Holy Warre, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: […] Thomas Buck, one of the printers to the Universitie of Cambridge [and sold by John Williams, London], →OCLC, book III, page 130:
"These bitter accusations might have been suppressed, had I with greater policy concealed my struggles, and flattered you into the belief of my being impelled by unqualified, unalloyed inclination; […]"
— 1813 January 27, [Jane Austen], chapter XI, in Pride and Prejudice: […], volume II, London: […] [George Sidney] for T[homas] Egerton, […], →OCLC, page 131:
"I, 'policie? that's their profession,
And not simplicity, as they suggest."
— c. 1589–1590 (date written), Christopher Marlo[we], edited by Tho[mas] Heywood, The Famous Tragedy of the Rich Iew of Malta. […], London: […] I[ohn] B[eale] for Nicholas Vavasour, […], published 1633, →OCLC, Act I:
"Whether he believed himself a god, or only took on the attributes of divinity from motives of policy, is a question for the psychologist, since the historical evidence is indecisive."
— 1946, Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, I.25:
"There was but one thing happened worth narrating; and that is the visit I had of Robin Oig, one of the sons of the notorious Rob Roy. He was sought upon all sides on a charge of carrying a young woman from Balfron and marrying her (as was alleged) by force; yet he stepped about Balquhidder like a gentleman in his own walled policy."
— 1886 May 1 – July 31, Robert Louis Stevenson, Kidnapped, being Memoirs of the Adventures of David Balfour in the Year 1751: […], London; Paris: Cassell & Company, published 1886, →OCLC:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The large company changed its official ____ regarding employees working from home.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The company introduced a new ____ requiring all employees to complete annual cybersecurity training.