(~s)
1.
You can use ~ to refer to any area of activity, interest, or thought. (FORMAL)
...the ~ of politics...
N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft N of n, adj N
2.
A ~ is a country that has a king or queen. (FORMAL)
Defence of the ~ is crucial.
N-COUNT: usu sing
3.
If you say that something is not beyond the ~s of possibility, you mean that it is possible.
A fall of 50 per cent or more on prices is not beyond the ~s of possibility...
PHRASE: ~ inflects, v-link prep PHR