po ‧ lit ‧ i ‧ cal S2 W1 /pəˈlɪtɪk ə l/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ politician , ↑ politics , ↑ politicization , ↑ politicking , ↑ politico ; adjective : ↑ political , ↑ politicized , ↑ apolitical , ↑ politic ; verb : ↑ politicize ; adverb : ↑ politically ]
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: politicus ; ⇨ ↑ politic ]
1 . relating to the government, politics, and public affairs of a country ⇨ politically :
Education is now a major political issue.
a time of political and social change
political party/system/institutions
The U.S. has two main political parties.
The UN is seeking a political solution rather than a military one.
political jokes
the workers’ struggle for political power
2 . relating to the ways that different people have power within a group, organization etc:
a purely political decision
The appointment was given to Wellington, mainly for political reasons.
3 . [not before noun] interested in or active in politics:
Most students aren’t very political.
4 . political football a difficult problem which opposing politicians argue about or which each side deals with in a way that will bring them advantage:
Funding of the health service has become a political football.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ nouns
▪ a political party
I am not a member of any political party.
▪ a political system
Our political system should give ordinary citizens more power.
▪ a political leader
a strong political leader
▪ political power
The poor have little political power.
▪ political rights
Every individual should have equal political rights.
▪ somebody's political career
He is facing the biggest decision of his political career.
▪ political life
At that time women were excluded from the political life of the country.
▪ a political issue
Health care has become a major political issue.
▪ a political solution
They are eager for a political solution after years of war.