1
a
: of or relating to government, a government, or the conduct of government
b
: of, relating to, or concerned with the making as distinguished from the administration of governmental policy
2
: of, relating to, involving, or involved in politics and especially party politics
3
: organized in governmental terms
political units
4
: involving or charged or concerned with acts against a government or a political system
political prisoners

Examples of political in a Sentence

The senator has changed political parties. Health care has become a major political issue in recent years. a group of political activists We need a political solution rather than a military solution.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Based on her runoff win, voters may not mind Graham's lack of political experience, even after Graham was asked during a debate whether Taiwan and the South China Sea are important national security interests for the United States. Terry Collins, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026 Honoring the undocumented and decrying their persecutors at the height of her career, against political headwinds and with nothing to gain and everything to lose, was par for her life, and a challenge for all of us to do the same. Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 No political motivations, no going on every talk show screaming about how this side is wrong of that side is wrong. Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026 Advertisement Parton was a spiritual leader in a world where political leaders failed us time and again. Shima Oliaee, Time, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for political

Word History

Etymology

politic or its source, Latin polīticus "of civil government, political" + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of political was in 1529

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Political.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/political. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Kids Definition

political

adjective
1
: of or relating to a government or the conduct of government
2
: of or relating to politics
3
: organized in governmental terms
political units
4
: involving, concerned with, or accused of acts against a government or political system
political prisoners
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster