/ ˌaɪdiˈɒlədʒi; NAmE -ˈɑːl-/ noun [ C , U ] ( pl. -ies ) (sometimes disapproving )
1.
a set of ideas that an economic or political system is based on :
Marxist / capitalist ideology
2.
a set of beliefs, especially one held by a particular group, that influences the way people behave :
the ideology of gender roles
alternative ideologies
► ideo·logic·al / ˌaɪdiəˈlɒdʒɪkl; NAmE -ˈlɑːdʒ-/ adjective :
ideological differences
► ideo·logic·al·ly / -kli; NAmE / adverb :
ideologically correct
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WORD ORIGIN
late 18th cent. (originally referring to the science of ideas): from French idéologie , from Greek idea form, pattern + -logos (denoting discourse or compilation).