A policy is a set of ideas or plans that is used as a basis for making decisions, especially in politics, economics, or business.
...plans which include changes in foreign policy and economic reforms.
...the U.N.'s policy-making body.
Synonyms: procedure, plan, action, programme More Synonyms of policy
2. countable noun [usually poss NOUN]
An official organization's policy on a particular issue or towards a country is their attitude and actions regarding that issue or country.
...its no-strings aid policy towards Africa.
...the government's policy on repatriation. [+ on]
...the corporation's policy of forbidding building on common land. [+ of]
3. countable noun [usually NOUN noun]
An insurance policy is a document which shows the agreement that you have made with an insurance company.
[business]
You are advised to read the small print of household and motor insurance policies.
More Synonyms of policy
policy in British English1
(ˈpɒlɪsɪ)
nounWord forms: plural-cies
1.
a plan of action adopted or pursued by an individual, government, party, business, etc
2.
wisdom, prudence, shrewdness, or sagacity
3. Scottish(often plural)
the improved grounds surrounding a country house
Word origin
C14: from Old French policie, from Latin polītīa administration, polity
policy in British English2
(ˈpɒlɪsɪ)
nounWord forms: plural-cies
a document containing a contract of insurance
Word origin
C16: from Old French police certificate, from Old Italian polizza, from Latin apodixis proof, from Greek apodeixis demonstration, proof
policy in American English1
(ˈpɑləsi)
nounWord forms: pluralˈpolicies
1.
a. Obsolete
government or polity
b. Rare
political wisdom or cunning
2.
wise, expedient, or prudent conduct or management
3.
a principle, plan, or course of action, as pursued by a government, organization, individual, etc.
foreign policy
Word origin
ME policie < OFr < L politia < Gr politeia: see police
policy in American English2
(ˈpɑləsi)
nounWord forms: pluralˈpolicies
1.
a written contract in which one party guarantees to insure another against a specified loss, damage, injury, etc. in consideration of payments, usually periodic, called premiums
: in full insurance policy
2. US
a.
an illegal lottery in which winning numbers are drawn from a revolving drum
b.
the numbers (see phrase at number)
Word origin
altered (infl. by policy1) < MFr police < It polizza < ML apodixa < MGr apodeixis < Gr, proof < apodeiknynai, to display, make known: see apo- & diction
policy in Insurance
(pɒlɪsi)
Word forms: (plural) policies
noun
(Insurance: General)
A policy is an agreement that you have made with an insurance company, or a document thatshows this.
The policy will pay a specified sum to beneficiaries upon the death of the insured.
With a one-year insurance policy, half of the total premium has been earned after six months.
A policy is an agreement that you have made with an insurance company, or a document thatshows this.
all-risk policy, cancel a policy, endowment policy, equity-linked policy, first-loss policy, issue a policy, make a policy paid up, Medigap policy, open policy, policy issuance, policy loan, policy term, policy wording, policyholder, traditional policy, umbrella policy, valued policy
Talking about policiesWhen you start a policy, you open it or take it out. When you end it, you cancel it.When a policy is at the end of its period and there is money from it, it matures.The things that are covered by a policy are those for which the policy will pay.
COBUILD Collocations
policy
coherent policy
defence policy
economic policy
education policy
effective policy
energy policy
enforce a policy
environmental policy
ethical policy
existing policy
government policy
green policy
housing policy
immigration policy
implement a policy
industrial policy
influence policy
introduce a policy
life insurance policy
open-door policy
pay policy
penal policy
policy aimed at
policy based on
privacy policy
public policy
pursue policies
remuneration policy
selection policy
shape policy
strict policy
support a policy
tax policy
Examples of 'policy' in a sentence
policy
These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content.Read more…
It is increasingly common for businesses to introduce policies on care responsibilities.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It needs to look at the government policy on policing the mining dispute as a whole.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This is the critical connection in understanding the foreign policy of the left.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Whether or not these sound bites lead to a change in economic policy remains to be seen.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
With what do we replace the common agricultural policy?
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The emerging alliance has not been confined to issues of government policy.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Individual rail company policies They all vary slightly.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Which gets to the most controversial part of his proposals, where economics meets social policy and trade.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
And frankly if there was more consensus or action around policy, we probably would be on our way to making the change that's needed.
Smithsonian Mag (2017)
The county and district councils would prepare their policy documents within this framework.
Brindley,Tim & Rydin, Yvonne & Stoker, Gerry Remaking Planning: the politics of urban change in the Thatcher years (1989)
What is needed now is the delivery of tangible policies for business.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
This is what happens when politicians set policy on the basis of ideology.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
That must be the policy of this country.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The impact on both economics and public policy has been dire.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
This is bad foreign policy and bad politics.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Labour still requires an attitude to foreign policy that has teeth behind the smile.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
You cannot proceed to common policies without popular consent.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Immigration policy making therefore took place with little or no interference from outside.
Ogden, Philip E & White, Paul E (eds.) Migrants in Modern France: Population Mobility in the Later Nineteenth and TwentiethCenturies (1989)
There could be no more welcome example of public health policy in action.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
There is now no clear party policy.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
But government policy appears to lag behind.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
There is a similar story when it comes to policies and issues.
The Sun (2014)
The same applies if you are renewing an insurance policy or buying goods.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
No need to swot up on policy documents.
The Sun (2010)
The direct cultural value of a warlike business policy is unequivocal.
Hunt, E. K. Property and Prophets: The Evolution of Economic Institutions and Ideologies (1995)
The results could form the basis for coalition policies.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Economics and economic policy is all about changes at the margin.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It is this key constraint on sustainable growth that makes a broad and enduring consensus on economic policy necessary.
Hirst, Paul After Thatcher (1989)
The topics will include policies to build more homes and plans to squeeze extra tax from those who live in them.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
This is not policy but attitude.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Under the company 's new policy this could be blocked by a repressive regime.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Of course, the policies each country pursues will need to be suited to its particular circumstances.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
This was an asset to British foreign policy.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
In other languages
policy
British English: policy NOUN
A policy is a set of ideas or plans that is used as a basis for making decisions, especially in politics, economics, or business.
...plans which include changes in foreign policy and economic reforms.
American English: policy
Brazilian Portuguese: política
Chinese: 政策
European Spanish: política
French: politique
German: Politik
Italian: politica
Japanese: 政策
Korean: 정책
European Portuguese: política
Latin American Spanish: política
Translate your text for free
All related terms of 'policy'
open policy
an insurance policy in which the amount payable in the event of a claim is settled after the loss or damage has occurred
pay policy
A policy is a set of ideas or plans that is used as a basis for making decisions , especially in politics , economics , or business.
policy idea
An idea is a plan, suggestion , or possible course of action.
policy loan
A policy loan is money that is borrowed against future benefits payable under a life insurance policy.
policy term
The policy term is the lifetime of an insurance policy.
policy unit
a body of political advisors to the British Prime Minister
policy wonk
a person who studies or makes political policies , esp one who has a strong enthusiasm for technical details
tax policy
A policy is a set of ideas or plans that is used as a basis for making decisions , especially in politics , economics , or business.
energy policy
A policy is a set of ideas or plans that is used as a basis for making decisions , especially in politics , economics , or business.
green policy
A policy is a set of ideas or plans that is used as a basis for making decisions , especially in politics , economics , or business.
penal policy
A policy is a set of ideas or plans that is used as a basis for making decisions , especially in politics , economics , or business.
policy-making
Policy-making is the making of policies .
policy paper
a document containing a contract of insurance
public policy
A policy is a set of ideas or plans that is used as a basis for making decisions , especially in politics, economics , or business.
shape policy
A policy is a set of ideas or plans that is used as a basis for making decisions , especially in politics , economics , or business.
strict policy
An official organization's policy on a particular issue or towards a country is their attitude and actions regarding that issue or country.
valued policy
an insurance policy in which the amount payable in the event of a valid claim is agreed upon between the company and policyholder when the policy is issued and is not related to the actual value of a loss
wages policy
a government policy setting wages and wage increases for workers , for example , setting minimum wage requirements
coherent policy
A policy is a set of ideas or plans that is used as a basis for making decisions , especially in politics , economics , or business.
defence policy
A policy is a set of ideas or plans that is used as a basis for making decisions , especially in politics , economics , or business.
economic policy
A policy is a set of ideas or plans that is used as a basis for making decisions , especially in politics , economics , or business.
ethical policy
A policy is a set of ideas or plans that is used as a basis for making decisions , especially in politics , economics , or business.
existing policy
An insurance policy is a document which shows the agreement that you have made with an insurance company.
floating policy
(in marine insurance ) a policy covering loss of or damage to specified goods irrespective of the ship in which they are consigned
foreign policy
the policies of a government regarding relations with other countries
housing policy
A policy is a set of ideas or plans that is used as a basis for making decisions , especially in politics , economics , or business.
incomes policy
voluntary or statutory regulation of the level of increases in prices and incomes
lending policy
a set of guidelines and criteria developed by a bank and used by its employees to determine whether an applicant for a loan should be granted or refused the loan
Medigap policy
A Medigap policy is a private extra health insurance plan in the U.S. that provides coverage for medical expenses that are not or only partially covered by Medicare .
package policy
an insurance policy which incorporates cover for different types of risk , such as liability and property
policy adviser
a person who provides ideas or plans that are used by an organization or government as a basis for making decisions
policy document
a document containing a contract of insurance
policy failure
Failure is a lack of success in doing or achieving something, especially in relation to a particular activity.
policy issuance
Policy issuance is the process of creating an insurance policy and providing it to the policyholder .
policy priority
the most important idea or plan that are used by an organization or government as a basis for making decisions
policy science
a branch of the social sciences concerned with the formulation and implementation of policy in bureaucracies , etc
policy wording
Policy wording is the terms and conditions and definitions of insurance coverage as they are written down in the insurance policy.
privacy policy
A policy is a set of ideas or plans that is used as a basis for making decisions , especially in politics , economics , or business.
umbrella policy
An umbrella policy is a policy that provides excess limits and gives additional excess coverage over the normal limits and coverage of liability policies.
accounting policy
the principles behind the way in which a company keeps its accounts
education policy
A policy is a set of ideas or plans that is used as a basis for making decisions , especially in politics , economics , or business.
effective policy
A policy is a set of ideas or plans that is used as a basis for making decisions , especially in politics , economics , or business.
endowment policy
a document containing a record , and the terms and conditions of, an endowment mortgage .
government policy
A policy is a set of ideas or plans that is used as a basis for making decisions , especially in politics , economics , or business.
immigration policy
A policy is a set of ideas or plans that is used as a basis for making decisions , especially in politics , economics , or business.
industrial policy
A policy is a set of ideas or plans that is used as a basis for making decisions , especially in politics , economics , or business.
influence policy
A policy is a set of ideas or plans that is used as a basis for making decisions , especially in politics , economics , or business.
insurance policy
a document that gives details of the agreement between an insurer and the person who is insured
issue a policy
If an insurer issues a policy , they create an insurance policy and provide it to a customer .
policy committee
a group of people who provide ideas or plans that are used by an organization or government as a basis for making decisions
a plan of action adopted by a person, group, or government
plans which include changes in foreign policy
Synonyms
procedure
He did not follow the correct procedure in applying for a visa.
plan
She met her creditors to propose a plan for making repayments.
action
programme
the programme for reform outlined by the Soviet President
practice
scheme
a private pension scheme
theory
He produced a theory about historical change.
code
custom
It was his custom to approach every problem cautiously.
stratagem
a competitive stratagem to secure customer loyalty
2 (noun)
significant changes in Britain's policy on global warming
Synonyms
line
The government promised to take a hard line on crime.
rules
approach
guideline
protocol
3 (noun)
Definition
wisdom or prudence
(archaic)
Synonyms
wisdom
a woman respected for her wisdom and insight
discretion
This task requires the utmost discretion.
good sense
prudence
acting with prudence and judgment
shrewdness
His natural shrewdness tells him what is needed to succeed.
sagacity
a person of great sagacity and immense experience
Additional synonyms
in the sense of custom
Definition
a usual practice or habit
It was his custom to approach every problem cautiously.
Synonyms
habit,
way,
practice,
manner,
procedure,
routine,
mode,
wont,
habitude (rare)
in the sense of discretion
Definition
the quality of behaving so as to avoid social embarrassment or distress
This task requires the utmost discretion.
Synonyms
tact,
care,
consideration,
judgment,
caution,
diplomacy,
good sense,
prudence,
acumen,
wariness,
discernment,
circumspection,
sagacity,
carefulness,
judiciousness,
heedfulness
in the sense of plan
Definition
a method thought out for doing or achieving something
She met her creditors to propose a plan for making repayments.
Synonyms
scheme,
system,
design,
idea,
programme,
project,
proposal,
strategy,
method,
suggestion,
procedure,
plot,
device,
scenario,
proposition,
contrivance
Synonyms of 'policy'
policy
Explore 'policy' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of programme
the programme for reform outlined by the Soviet President
Synonyms
plan,
scheme,
strategy,
procedure,
project,
plan of action
in the sense of prudence
acting with prudence and judgment
Synonyms
wisdom,
common sense,
good sense,
good judgment,
sagacity,
judiciousness
in the sense of sagacity
a person of great sagacity and immense experience
Synonyms
wisdom,
shrewdness,
understanding,
sense,
insight,
penetration,
prudence,
foresight,
sharpness,
discernment,
perspicacity (formal),
knowingness,
astuteness,
acuteness,
canniness,
judiciousness,
sapience
in the sense of scheme
Definition
a systematic plan for a course of action
a private pension scheme
Synonyms
plan,
programme,
strategy,
system,
design,
project,
theory,
proposal,
device,
tactics,
course of action,
contrivance
in the sense of shrewdness
His natural shrewdness tells him what is needed to succeed.
Synonyms
astuteness,
cleverness,
sharpness,
judgment,
grasp,
penetration,
acumen,
suss (slang),
discernment,
perspicacity (formal),
sagacity,
smartness,
quick wits,
acuteness,
canniness
in the sense of stratagem
Definition
a clever plan to deceive an enemy
a competitive stratagem to secure customer loyalty
Synonyms
trick,
scheme,
manoeuvre,
plan,
plot,
device,
intrigue,
dodge,
ploy,
ruse,
artifice,
subterfuge,
feint,
wile,
tactic,
gambit
in the sense of theory
Definition
a set of ideas, based on evidence and careful reasoning, which offers an explanation of how something works or why something happens, but has not been completely proved