1 [usually treated as singular] the activities associated with the governance of a country or area, especially the debate between parties having power:the party quickly gained influence in French politicsthereafter he dropped out of active politics
the activities of governments concerning the political relations between states:in the conduct of global politics, economic status must be backed by military capacity
the academic study of government and the state: [as modifier]:a politics lecturer
a particular set of political beliefs or principles:people do not buy their paper purely for its politics
(often the politics of) the principles relating to or inherent in a sphere or activity, especially when concerned with power and status:the politics of gender
2activities aimed at improving someone’s status or increasing power within an organization:yet another discussion of office politics and personalities
play politics
act for political or personal gain rather than from principle:he railed against them for playing politics with the police department
