politician

noun

pol·​i·​ti·​cian ˌpä-lə-ˈti-shən How to pronounce politician (audio)
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
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.
Any politician trying to campaign against a more senior opponent would have to be careful about not sounding dismissive toward older Americans’ ability to contribute – after all, senior citizens are reliable voters. Patrick T. Brown, CNN, 9 Feb. 2023 Bill Clinton, who probably reveled in the act of campaigning more than any modern politician, waited until October 1991 to launch his race for president. Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 30 Jan. 2023 No other politician has ever spent and raised money on Facebook and Instagram like Donald Trump. Anchorage Daily News, 27 Jan. 2023 The constant infrastructure updates alone would provoke envy in any campaigning politician. Danielle Stein Chizzik, Town & Country, 22 Jan. 2023 See all Example Sentences for politician 

Word History

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of politician was in 1589

Dictionary Entries Near politician

Cite this Entry

“Politician.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/politician. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

politician

noun
pol·​i·​ti·​cian ˌpäl-ə-ˈtish-ən How to pronounce politician (audio)
: a person who takes an active part in party politics or in government business

More from Merriam-Webster on politician

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!