B1noun1K

Policy

UK /["/ˈpɒləsi/"]/US /["/ˈpɑːləsi/"]/

Definition

a plan of action agreed or chosen by a political party, a business, etc.

In simple words: A plan or rule made by a group or organization.

Examples

  • The new policy aims to improve working conditions for all employees.
  • Our school has a strict anti-bullying policy that we must all follow.
  • It's important to have a clear sustainability policy to protect the environment.
  • The government introduced a healthcare policy to ensure everyone has access to medical services.
  • The company's policy on remote work allows employees to work from home two days a week.

Usage notes

Use 'policy' when discussing rules or guidelines established by a government, company, or institution. It's appropriate in both formal and casual discussions but typically not in casual conversations unless discussing work or government matters.

Grammar pattern

policy + object

Memory hint

Think of 'policy' as 'a set of rules' — picture a police officer enforcing rules in a community.

Collocations

  • clear
  • coherent
  • explicit
  • design
  • develop
  • formulate
  • be aimed at something
  • be designed to do something
  • govern something
  • decision
  • making
  • proposal
  • policy of
  • policy on
  • a matter of policy
  • clear
  • coherent
  • explicit
  • design
  • develop
  • formulate
  • be aimed at something
  • be designed to do something
  • govern something
  • decision
  • making
  • proposal
  • policy of
  • policy on
  • a matter of policy
  • insurance
  • buildings and contents
  • home and contents
  • take out
  • renew
  • cover somebody/​something
  • expire
  • holder
  • schedule
  • in a/​the policy
  • under a/​the policy

Synonyms

  • guideline
  • rule
  • regulation
  • procedure
  • principle

Antonyms

  • chaos
  • anarchy

Common mistakes

  • Confusing 'policy' with 'politics'.
  • Using 'policies' as singular instead of plural.
  • Not recognizing 'policy' as a countable noun.