ˈpäləˌtiks noun plural but singular or plural in construction
Etymology: probably modification (influenced by -ics ) of Greek politika, from neuter plural of politikos political — more at politic
1.
a. : the art or science of government : a science dealing with the regulation and control of men living in society : a science concerned with the organization, direction, and administration of political units (as nations or states) in both internal and external affairs : the art of adjusting and ordering relationships between individuals and groups in a political community
b.
(1) : the art or science concerned with guiding or influencing governmental policy
(2) : the art or science concerned with winning and holding control over a government (as by selection of governmental personnel) — compare party politics
2. : a branch of ethics concerned with the state or social organism as a whole rather than the individual person : a division of moral philosophy dealing with the ethical relations and duties of governments or other social organizations : public or social ethics
3. : political actions, practices, or policies
protested against the politics of the Vichy government — Current Biography
the same politics were followed by his successors — New Republic
it was not good politics … to present this menacing figure as an incompetent fool — Gilbert Seldes
4.
a.
(1) : political affairs or business ; specifically : competition between competing interest groups or individuals for power and leadership
(2) : activities concerned with governing or with influencing or winning and holding control of a government
flinch at the thought of … participation in partisan politics — John Lodge
a university in which politics had no place — Marjory S. Douglas
trying to understand recent French politics — Julian Towster
(3) : activities concerned with achieving control, advancement, or some other goal in a nongovernmental group (as a club or office)
b. : political life especially as a principal activity or profession
politics is … the noblest career that a man can choose — J.L.McConaughty
entered politics
c. : political activities characterized by artful and often dishonest practices especially in securing the success of political parties or candidates
dirty ward politics
in the underworld of politics — H.R.Penniman
5. : conduct of or policy in private affairs
reading a lecture on … matrimonial politics — Henry Fielding
6. : the political principles, convictions, opinions, or sympathies of a person
his politics was … reactionary enough — Lionel Trilling
changed his politics for advancement's sake — W.B.Yeats
a woman's politics are the man she loves — Owen Rhoscomyl
7. : the total complex or interacting and usually conflicting relations between men living in society:
a. : the relations between men concerned with governing or with influencing or winning and holding control over a government
b. : the relations between leaders and nonleaders in any social grouping (as a political community, church, club, or trade union)
8.
a. : political science
b. : the branch of political science dealing with the activities of political parties and pressure groups