policy
- 01 B1 Intermediate
a set of ideas or a plan of what to do in particular situations that has been agreed to officially by a group of people, a business, or a government.
a course or principle of action adopted or proposed by an organisation or individual. Often functions as an uncountable concept or a countable set of specific rules.
Simple“The company has a strict policy against using mobile phones during meetings.”
In context“The government is currently reviewing its foreign policy to better address the emerging challenges of global trade and environmental security.”
UsageOften used with the verbs 'implement', 'adopt', or 'enforce'.
- 02 B1 Intermediate
a legal agreement or document with an insurance company that describes what they will pay for if you have an accident or illness.
a contract of insurance, or the document representing such a contract, detailing the terms and conditions of coverage.
Simple“You should read your car insurance policy carefully to see what is covered.”
In context“The claimant was surprised to discover that his existing life insurance policy did not provide coverage for high-risk sporting activities.”
UsageCommonly used in the phrases 'insurance policy' or 'to take out a policy'.
- 03 C2 Proficiency
the quality of being wise or sensible in the way you handle a situation.
prudent or advantageous conduct; the quality of being politically or practically wise.
Simple“In this difficult situation, staying quiet was probably the best policy.”
In context“The diplomat believed that transparency was the best policy, even when the immediate consequences were likely to be uncomfortable for provoke public criticism.”
UsageOften appears in the proverb 'honesty is the best policy'.
Teacher's tipThis sense is rare in modern speech outside of fixed idioms; students should focus on the 'rules' or 'insurance' meanings.
SynonymsAntonymsimprudencefolly
Usage policy changes · policies aimed · policies since
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.
From Middle French police, from Italian polizza, from Medieval Latin apodissa (“receipt for money”), from Ancient Greek ἀπόδειξις (apódeixis, “proof, declaration”). Doublet of apodixis.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.