Policy
/ˈpɒl.ɪ.si/noun
A course or principle of action adopted or proposed by an organization or individual.
Did you know?In ancient Greece, the term 'policy' was associated with the governance of the city-state, intertwining politics with the very fabric of civic life.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*pel-
“to fill or to fulfill, to make full”
Ancient Greek
Greek
πολιτεία (politeia)
“the condition of citizenship, governance, or the organization of a city-state”
Latin
Latin
politica
“affairs of the state, politics”
Old French
Old French
policie
“government or administration of a state or community”
Middle English
Middle English
policie
“a system of government, the arrangement of civil organization”
Modern English
English
policy
“a course of action or guiding principle in governance or decision-making”
Explore more surprising origins