What does "policy" mean?

1. (official rules or plan) 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. 2. (insurance contract) a legal agreement or document with an insurance company that describes what they will pay for if you have an accident or illness. 3. (wise conduct) the quality of being wise or sensible in the way you handle a situation.

policy — meaning, definition & examples

Word

01official rules or plan

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Academic

n. 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.

n. 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.

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

“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'.

Synonyms

strategy code protocol

02insurance contract

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Law

n. a legal agreement or document with an insurance company that describes what they will pay for if you have an accident or illness.

n. a contract of insurance, or the document representing such a contract, detailing the terms and conditions of coverage.

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

“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'.

Synonyms

contract agreement

03wise conduct

C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Formal · Literary

n. the quality of being wise or sensible in the way you handle a situation.

n. prudent or advantageous conduct; the quality of being politically or practically wise.

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

“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'.

Teaching tip

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

Synonyms

prudence wisdom discretion

Antonyms

imprudencefolly

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “policy” in context.

Verb

01. adopt policy

“The school decided to adopt a new policy regarding mobile phone use in class.”

verb + noun

02. develop policy

“The committee is working hard to develop a policy that protects the environment.”

verb + noun

03. implement policy

“It is the manager's job to implement the new safety policy immediately.”

verb + noun

04. inform policy

“Scientific research should be used to inform policy decisions on public health.”

verb + noun

05. shape policy

“Public opinion can often help shape government policy during an election year.”

verb + noun

Adjective

06. economic policy

“The government's economic policy focuses on reducing inflation and creating jobs.”

adj + noun

07. effective policy

“We need an effective policy to deal with the rising cost of living.”

adj + noun

08. social policy

“The university offers a degree in social policy and administration.”

adj + noun

Noun

09. policy encourage

“The new company policy encourages employees to take regular breaks.”

noun + verb

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.

procedure guideline protocol rule regulation strategy plan contract Prudence

anarchy lawlessness chaos impropriety recklessness negligence

NOUN

policy(B1)

policymaking(C1)

government harmonize harmonized politics reconsideration underwriter