[pol.i.tics] n pl but sing or pl in constr [Gk politika, fr. neut. pl. of politikos political] (ca. 1529) 1 a: the art or science of government b: the art or science concerned with guiding or influencing governmental policy c: the art or science concerned with winning and holding control over a government
2: political actions, practices, or policies 3 a: political affairs or business; esp: competition between competing interest groups or individuals for power and leadership (as in a government) b: political life esp. as a principal activity or profession c: political activities characterized by artful and often dishonest practices
4: the political opinions or sympathies of a person
5. a: the total complex of relations between people living in society b: relations or conduct in a particular area of experience esp. as seen or dealt with from a political point of view "sexual ~" "office ~"