the practice or profession of conducting political affairs.
political affairs: The advocated reforms have become embroiled in politics.
political methods or maneuvers: We could not approve of his politics in winning passage of the bill.
political principles or opinions: We avoided discussion of religion and politics. His politics are his own affair.
use of intrigue or strategy in obtaining any position of power or control, as in business, university, etc.
(initial capital letter, italics) a treatise (4th century b.c.) by Aristotle, dealing with the structure, organization, and administration of the state, especially the city-state as known in ancient Greece.
Idioms for politics
play politics,
to engage in political intrigue, take advantage of a political situation or issue, resort to partisan politics, etc.; exploit a political system or political relationships.
to deal with people in an opportunistic, manipulative, or devious way, as for job advancement.
Origin of politics
First recorded in 1520–30; see origin at politic, -ics
Liberal Democrats like to blow their bugles about how all the big money in politics comes from rich Republicans.
The 100 Rich People Who Run America|Mark McKinnon|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
I believe in the power of institutions—Congress, public policy, certain ideas about politics—that last for a long time.
Thank Congress, Not LBJ for Great Society|Julian Zelizer, Scott Porch|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Beauchamp hugged his politics like some who show their love of the pleasures of life by taking to them angrily.
Beauchamp's Career, Complete|George Meredith
During these years, however, he was equally active as a leader in politics.
The History of the Negro Church|Carter Godwin Woodson
Liberty commensurate and identical with Order,—this is the only reality of government and politics.
Anarchism and Socialism|George Plechanoff
Would their sporting sense of politics as a gigantic game carry him through successfully?
Abraham Lincoln and the Union|Nathaniel W. Stephenson
Lee emigrated from the southwestern states, and immediately became a leader in Oregon politics.
Early Western Travels 1748-1846, Volume XXX|Joel Palmer
British Dictionary definitions for politics
politics
/ (ˈpɒlɪtɪks) /
noun
(functioning as singular)the practice or study of the art and science of forming, directing, and administrating states and other political units; the art and science of government; political science
(functioning as singular)the complex or aggregate of relationships of people in society, esp those relationships involving authority or power
(functioning as plural)political activities or affairsparty politics
(functioning as singular)the business or profession of politics
(functioning as singular or plural)any activity concerned with the acquisition of power, gaining one's own ends, etccompany politics are frequently vicious
(functioning as plural)opinions, principles, sympathies, etc, with respect to politicshis conservative politics
(functioning as plural)
the policy-formulating aspects of government as distinguished from the administrative, or legal
the civil functions of government as distinguished from the military
government, campaigning, legislature, electioneering, zoo, polity, jungle, statecraft, civics, backroom, foreign affairs, political science, hat in the ring, smoke-filled room