ideology

noun

ide·​ol·​o·​gy ˌī-dē-ˈä-lə-jē How to pronounce ideology (audio) ˌi-dē-ˈä- How to pronounce ideology (audio)
plural ideologies
1
a
: a manner or the content of thinking characteristic of an individual, group, or culture
b
: the integrated assertions, theories and aims that constitute a sociopolitical program
c
: a systematic body of concepts especially about human life or culture
2
: visionary theorizing
ideologist noun

Did you know?

Ideology has been in use in English since the end of the 18th century and is one of the few words whose coiner we can identify. The French writer A. L. C. Destutt de Tracy proposed it as a term to designate the “science of ideas,” and in that sense the word was quickly borrowed into English. Though ideology originated as a serious philosophical term, within a few decades it took on connotations of impracticality thanks to Napoleon, who used it in a derisive manner. Such connotations are still present in some contexts, but the word today is largely used neutrally, most often to refer to a systematic body of concepts, and especially to the set of ideas and beliefs held by a particular group or political party.

Examples of ideology in a Sentence

the ideology of a totalitarian society He says that the election is not about ideology.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Since his inauguration, President Donald Trump has signed a series of executive orders that respect biological reality in areas from medicine to sports to intimate spaces, and protect the right to speak about the harms of gender ideology. Justin Gest, Newsweek, 10 Feb. 2025 Any references to ‘women, female & equality’ removed from any .gov website were removed in the context of transgender/gender ideology. Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 7 Feb. 2025 In their place is an isolationist ideology that, if sustained, could cause massive economic harm not only in the U.S. but around the world. Felix Salmon, Axios, 3 Feb. 2025 First, the election of a U.S. president who seems agnostic toward technology but may be agnostic one minute and then doctrinaire another — doctrinaire to a new, undefined, capricious ideology. Jim Cramer, CNBC, 2 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for ideology 

Word History

Etymology

French idéologie, from idéo- ideo- + -logie -logy

First Known Use

1813, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of ideology was in 1813

Dictionary Entries Near ideology

Cite this Entry

“Ideology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ideology. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

ideology

noun
ide·​ol·​o·​gy ˌīd-ē-ˈäl-ə-jē How to pronounce ideology (audio) ˌid- How to pronounce ideology (audio)
plural ideologies
: ideas characteristic of a person, group, or political party
ideologi cal
-ē-ə-ˈläj-i-kəl
adjective
ideologically
-i-k(ə-)lē
adverb
ideologist noun

Medical Definition

ideology

noun
ide·​ol·​o·​gy ˌīd-ē-ˈäl-ə-jē How to pronounce ideology (audio) ˌid- How to pronounce ideology (audio)
variants also idealogy
plural ideologies
1
: a systematic body of concepts especially about human life or culture
2
: a manner or the content of thinking characteristic of an individual, group, or culture
ideological adjective
also idealogical
ideologically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on ideology

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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