policy

PAH-luh-see/ˈpɑləsi/UKPO-luh-see/ˈpɒləsi/

12 meanings of policy

1
official rulesnouncountable or uncountable
A set of rules or a plan that a government, company, or person follows, or the paper that sets it out.
Like the rules of a board game that tell everyone how to play.
The school has a clear policy about cell phones in class.
Their return policy lets you bring items back within thirty days.
UsageSay a policy on something or a policy of doing something.
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2
insurancenouncountable
An agreement with an insurance company, or the paper that shows it.
Like a deal where you pay a little now, and the company helps pay if something bad happens later.
Their car policy paid for the repairs after the accident.
Read your policy carefully so you know what is covered.
UsageYou take out a policy, and it covers things like your car.
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3
shrewd choicenoununcountable
Smart, careful behavior that protects your own interests.
It was good policy to stay quiet until everyone calmed down.
Saving a little money every month is simply good policy.
UsageOften in good policy and the saying honesty is the best policy.
Similarexpediency, prudence
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Less common meanings

4
numbers lotterynoununcountable
A game, usually illegal, in which people bet money on which numbers will be picked.
Years ago, his grandfather played policy with a few cents each day.
Back then, her aunt secretly played policy at the corner store.
5
nounobsoleteuncountable
The skill or study of how to govern a country.
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6
political skillnounarchaiccountable or uncountable
Clever skill in politics, especially in getting and keeping power.
I, 'policie? that's their profession, And not simplicity, as they suggest.
c. 1589, Christopher Marlo[we], The Famous Tragedy of the Rich Iew of Malta.Here, policie means clever, cunning skill in politics.
Whether he believed himself a god, or only took on the attributes of divinity from motives of policy, is a question for the psychologist, since the historical evidence is indecisive.
1946, Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy
Similarcalculation
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7
estate groundsnoundialectalScotlandcountableplural
The land, gardens, and parks around a big country house.
They walked through the policy, past tall old trees and a small lake.
Visitors may walk in the castle policies until the gates close at six.
Similargrounds, parkland
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8
nounobsoletecountable
A clever trick or cunning plan used to gain an advantage.
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9
nounobsoletecountable or uncountable
The system of government and offices that runs a country.
10
nounobsoletecountable
A country or community that has its own government.
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11
nounobsoletecountable
A reason or goal that makes someone do something.
I pray you (said he) honest men, what such right have you in me, as not to suffer me to doe with my self what I list? and what pollicie have you to bestow a benefite where it is counted an injury?
c. 1580, Philip Sidney, The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia [The New Arcadia]Here, pollicie means a reason or goal that makes someone act.
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12
verbobsolete
To control a place or activity with laws and rules.
Policying of cities.
1605, Francis Bacon, The Twoo Bookes of Francis Bacon

Practice

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Origins

Meanings 1, 3, 5–11

It came through Old French from Latin and Greek words meaning citizenship and government.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

Policy came through Old French from Latin and Greek. en.wiktionary.org
The ancestral words had meanings including citizenship and government. en.wiktionary.org

Meanings 2, 4

It came from Italian polizza, from a Latin word for a money receipt, based on a Greek word meaning proof.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

Policy derives ultimately from Italian polizza. en.wiktionary.org
Italian polizza derives from a Latin word meaning a money receipt. en.wiktionary.org
The Latin word derives ultimately from a Greek word meaning proof. en.wiktionary.org