political

comparative more political · superlative most political · alternative obsolete politicall

1. Concerning or relating to politics, the art and process of governing.

   Political principles are rarely absolute, as political logic holds an imperfect result by compromise is better than a theoretically perfect abstention from the political process in the opposition.

   3 more examples

   As a political system democracy seems to me extraordinarily foolish, but I would not go out of my way to protest against it. My servant is, so far as I am concerned, welcome to as many votes as he can get. I would very gladly make mine over to him if I could.

   1915, G[eorge] A. Birmingham [pseudonym; James Owen Hannay], chapter I, in Gossamer, New York, N.Y.: George H. Doran Company, →OCLC

   In an era when political leaders promise deliverance from decline through America’s purported preeminence in scientific research, the news that science is in deep trouble in the United States has been as unwelcome as a diagnosis of leukemia following the loss of health insurance.

   2012 January 28, Philip E. Mirowski, “Harms to Health from the Pursuit of Profits”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 1, page 87

   That brief moment after the election four years ago, when many Americans thought Mr. Obama’s election would presage a new, less fractious political era, now seems very much a thing of the past.

   2012 November 7, Matt Bai, “Winning a Second Term, Obama Will Confront Familiar Headwinds”, in The New York Times, archived from the original on 10 Jun 2016

2. Concerning a polity or its administrative components.

   Good political staff is hard to find, they may neither be ambitious and corrupted by power nor tempted by private sector careers.

3. derogatoryInappropriately motivated by political calculation, as it pertains to elections, power dynamics, ideologies, etc.

   The media alleged that the Federal Reserve chairman’s decision to cut rates before the election was political.

4. Of or relating to views about social relationships that involve power, standing, influence or conflict.
5. Interested in politics.

plural politicals · alternative obsolete politicall

1. A political agent or officer.

   One such officer was Count Nikolai Ignatiev, a brilliant and ambitious political, who enjoyed the ear of the Tsar and burned to settle his country's scores with the British.

   1990, Peter Hopkirk, The Great Game, Folio Society, published 2010, page 265

2. A publication focusing on politics.
3. A political prisoner.