# polity

/ˈpɑɫəti/ (US) · /pˈɒlɪti/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/polity
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

a group of people who are ruled by a specific government or system. It can also mean a specific way of organizing a society or a country.

For teachers: a body of people living under a particular form of government; a political system or social order.

## Examples

- The ancient city was a small polity with its own laws.
- Scholars often study the transition from a small polity to a larger, centralized state.
- The historian argues that the stability of the polity depends less on the strength of the leader than on the shared cultural values of the citizenry.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.