politician

noun

pol·​i·​ti·​cian ˌpä-lə-ˈti-shən 

1

: a person experienced in the art or science of government

especially : one actively engaged in conducting the business of a government

2

a

: a person engaged in party politics as a profession

b

often disparaging : a person primarily interested in political office for selfish or other narrow usually short-sighted reasons

Examples of politician in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Caribbean politician Gaston Browne has won a historic fourth term as prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda, leading his Labor Party to a historic landslide victory and unprecedented fourth term late Thursday night. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 1 May 2026

The politicians frown as their entourage of assistants frantically jot things in notebooks that seem like they’ll be filed away somewhere. —Óscar Martínez, The Dial, 30 Apr. 2026

One philosophy argues that judges should be completely independent and not subject to the volatile forces of public opinion, while the other, borne out of corruption concerns in the 1800s and early 1900s, argues that judges should be less beholden to politicians, and voters should have a voice. —Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026

During his address to a joint meeting of Congress on Tuesday, the monarch brought politicians from all corners to their feet in spirited applause, often in response to the same words. —Kathleen Parker, Washington Post, 30 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

politic or politic(s) + -ian entry 1

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for politician

• abolition
• acquisition
• admonition
• ammunition
• apparition
• apposition
• coalition
• competition
• composition
• definition
• deglutition
• demolition

Kids Definition

politician

noun

pol·​i·​ti·​cian ˌpäl-ə-ˈtish-ən 

: a person who takes an active part in party politics or in government business