polity
gb/pˈɑləti/ us/pˈɑləti/
C1
English
állam, politikai rendszer, egyházkormányzat
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
1
állam
A2
Usage pattern:
a polity; the polity of [place]
The reforms were designed to strengthen the polity after years of conflict.
A reformok célja az állam megerősítése volt az évekig tartó konfliktus után.
Trade agreements can reshape a small polity’s place in the region.
A kereskedelmi megállapodások átalakíthatják egy kis állam helyét a régióban.
The report describes the city-state as a highly centralized polity.
Learner examples
The island is a small polity with its own government.
A sziget egy kis állam, saját kormánnyal.
They studied how the polity changed over time.
Azt tanulmányozták, hogyan változott ez a politikai közösség az idő folyamán.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse polity with policy (a plan or rule) because the words look similar.
Meaning
a politically organized society
Collocations
a stable polity
|a fragile polity
|a modern polity
|an ancient polity
|a sovereign polity
|a regional polity
|the national polity
|the wider polity
|a multiethnic polity
|the polity of [country]
Synonyms
state (More common and broader; can also mean a condition, not just a political entity.)
|
nation (Often emphasizes a people and identity, not just political organization.)
|
political community (Closer in meaning but less common in everyday writing.)
Antonyms
statelessness (The condition of having no recognized state or political unit.)
|
anarchy (A situation where there is no effective government or political order.)
Themes
politics
|government
|society
Definition
A country or society seen as a political group with a government.
A country, state, or other community considered as an organized political unit.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
[adjective] polity
The constitution aimed to create a more accountable polity.
Az alkotmány célja egy elszámoltathatóbb politikai rendszer létrehozása volt.
Critics argued that the polity concentrated too much power in the executive.
A bírálók szerint a politikai rendszer túl sok hatalmat összpontosított a végrehajtó hatalom kezében.
Over decades, the country moved toward a more democratic polity.
Learner examples
They want a fairer polity with free elections.
Egy igazságosabb politikai rendszert akarnak, szabad választásokkal.
Common mistake:
Polity is not the same as politics (the activity) or policy (a plan or rule).
Meaning
a system of government
Collocations
a democratic polity
|a federal polity
|a constitutional polity
|a republican polity
|a centralized polity
|a pluralist polity
|a representative polity
|a mixed polity
|an authoritarian polity
|a liberal polity
Synonyms
system of government (Plain-language equivalent; less academic.)
|
political system (Very close; often used in political science and journalism.)
|
regime (Often suggests a specific ruling administration and can sound critical.)
Antonyms
anarchy (The absence of an organized governing system.)
Themes
politics
|government
|law
Definition
The way a country is governed; its political system.
A particular form or system of government, including the way political power is organized and exercised.
NOUN
C2
TECHNICAL
3
Usage pattern:
[adjective] polity; church polity
The seminary course covered doctrine, liturgy, and polity.
A szemináriumi kurzus a tanítást, a liturgiát és az egyházkormányzatot tárgyalta.
They disagreed about polity, especially who should have authority to appoint clergy.
Nem értettek egyet az egyházkormányzat kérdésében, különösen abban, hogy kinek legyen joga a lelkészek kinevezésére.
The denomination revised its polity to give local churches more decision-making power.
Learner examples
The church changed its polity last year.
Az egyház tavaly megváltoztatta az egyházkormányzati rendjét.
Common mistake:
This sense is mainly used in religious or historical contexts; it is not about national government.
Meaning
church governance structure
Collocations
church polity
|ecclesiastical polity
|Presbyterian polity
|episcopal polity
|congregational polity
|church polity debates
|questions of polity
|polity and doctrine
Synonyms
ecclesiastical governance (More explicit and formal; points clearly to church administration.)
|
church government (More straightforward; common in non-academic contexts.)
Antonyms
disorganization (A lack of structured governance or orderly administration.)
Themes
religion
|government
|institutions
Definition
The way a church is organized and run.
The rules and organizational structure by which a church or religious body is governed.
Grammar
Dictionary form
polity
IPA
GB/pˈɑləti/
US/pˈɑləti/
Syllables & stress
polity (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (polity)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: polity
- Plural: polities, polity
Word family
Forms
polities
noun
Core family
Related words
policy
noun B1
policymaker
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
apolitical
adjective
nonpolitical
adjective
Advanced or less common
Expressions
body politic
1/bˈɑdi pˈɑlətˌɪk/
fixed phrase
formal
a nation as one political unit
All the people in a country seen as one political group.
Examples
- The scandal shook confidence across the body politic.
- The bill triggered intense debate in the body politic.
- Leaders argued that the policy would heal divisions within the body politic.
Learner examples
- The decision affected the whole body politic.