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policy

n.
US //ˈpɑɫəsi// UK //pˈɒlɪsi// pol·i·cy
  1. 1 official rules or plan (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Academic

    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.

    Example

    The company has a strict policy against using mobile phones during meetings.

    Example

    The government is currently reviewing its foreign policy to better address the emerging challenges of global trade and environmental security.

    Usage

    Often used with the verbs 'implement', 'adopt', or 'enforce'.
  2. 2 insurance contract (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Law

    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.

    Example

    You should read your car insurance policy carefully to see what is covered.

    Example

    The claimant was surprised to discover that his existing life insurance policy did not provide coverage for high-risk sporting activities.

    Usage

    Commonly used in the phrases 'insurance policy' or 'to take out a policy'.
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  1. 3 wise conduct (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Formal Literary

    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.

    Example

    In this difficult situation, staying quiet was probably the best policy.

    Example

    The diplomat believed that transparency was the best policy, even when the immediate consequences were likely to be uncomfortable for provoke public criticism.

    Usage

    Often appears in the proverb 'honesty is the best policy'.

    Teacher's tip

    This sense is rare in modern speech outside of fixed idioms; students should focus on the 'rules' or 'insurance' meanings.
Etymology 1

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.

Etymology 2

From Middle French police, from Italian polizza, from Medieval Latin apodissa (“receipt for money”), from Ancient Greek ἀπόδειξις (apódeixis, “proof, declaration”). Doublet of apodixis.

Idioms2 entries

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