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political

adj. · n.
US //pəˈɫɪtəkəɫ// UK //pəlˈɪtɪkəl// po·lit·i·cal
  1. 1 government and policy (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    relating to the government, elections, and the way a country is run.

    relating to the government, public affairs, or the state's administrative and legislative processes.

    Example

    The two parties have very different political views on how to improve the economy.

    Example

    The candidate's political platform focused heavily on healthcare reform and environmental protections to appeal to younger voters.
  2. 2 power dynamics (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    relating to the way people use power and influence within a group or organization.

    relating to the internal power structures, influence, and status within a social or professional environment.

    Example

    Getting a promotion at this company is often a political process.

    Example

    Navigating the political landscape of a large corporation requires a keen understanding of who holds the actual decision-making power.
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  1. 3 interested in politics (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    having a strong interest in government and social issues.

    actively engaged in or concerned with the theories and practice of politics.

    Example

    She became very political after she started university and joined several protest groups.

    Example

    The documentary aims to make the audience more political by highlighting systemic inequalities in the justice system.
  2. 4 biased or calculated (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    done for the purpose of gaining power or winning an election rather than for the right reasons.

    motivated by partisan interests or electoral calculation rather than principle.

    Example

    Critics said the decision to lower taxes just before the election was purely political.

    Example

    The appointment was widely seen as a political move designed to appease the more radical wing of the coalition government.
  3. 5 political prisoner (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Law

    a person who is put in prison because of their government-related beliefs or activities.

    a person imprisoned for their opposition to or criticism of a government.

    Example

    The international community called for the release of all politicals held by the regime.

    Example

    Human rights organisations documented the treatment of politicals held in high-security facilities without trial.

    Usage

    Often used in the plural or as part of the phrase 'political prisoner'.
Origin

From politic + -al.

Word family
Idioms1 entry

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