ideology

UK: /ˌaɪdiˈɒlədʒi/

US: /ˌaɪdiˈɑlədʒi, ˌɪdi-/

US: (ī′dē ol′ə jē, id′ē-)

Inflections of 'ideology' (n): npl: ideologies

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

i•de•ol•o•gy /ˌaɪdiˈɑlədʒi, ˌɪdi-/   n., pl. -gies. 

1. the body of belief, doctrine, or thought that guides an individual, movement, or group:
   [uncountable] communist ideology.
   [countable] numerous ideologies of social behavior.

See -log-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

i•de•ol•o•gy  (ī′dē ol′ə jē, id′ē-), n., pl. -gies. 

1. the body of doctrine, myth, belief, etc., that guides an individual, social movement, institution, class, or large group.
2. such a body of doctrine, myth, etc., with reference to some political and social plan, as that of fascism, along with the devices for putting it into operation.
3. Philosophy
   • the study of the nature and origin of ideas.
   • a system that derives ideas exclusively from sensation.
4. theorizing of a visionary or impractical nature.

• 1790–1800; ideo- + -logy; compare French idéologie

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

ideology / ˌaɪdɪˈɒlədʒɪ/ noun ( -gies)

1. a body of ideas that reflects the beliefs and interests of a nation, political system, etc and underlies political action
2. speculation that is imaginary or visionary
3. the study of the nature and origin of ideas

ideological / ˌaɪdɪəˈlɒdʒɪk^əl/, ˌideoˈlogic adjective

ˌideoˈlogically adverb