Word of the Day: Ideology

ideology/ ˌaɪ diˈɒl ə dʒi, ˌɪd i- /

Meaning of Ideology

1. A guiding body, such as doctrine, religion or mythology, that defines a group of thinkers
2. A political plan of action backed by such a guiding body.
3. The philosophical study of the nature of truth and ideas.
4. Theories that are of a radical or inflammatory nature.

Uses of Ideology

“Her ideology is considered radical.”

“He follows the ideology of socialism.”

“The writer explained the tenets that underpinned the rebels’ ideology.”

Origins of Ideology

The word entered the English language sometime around the turn of the 19^th Century. It is comprised of two root words, idea and “logy,” meaning, literally, the “study of ideas,” which is reflected in the philosophical meaning of the word. Compare to the French word, idéologie.