noun

policy

PAH-luh-see/ˈpɑːləsi/

A rule or plan adopted to guide decisions and actions.

The workshop's policy requires safety goggles near the machinery.

Manager indicates simple safety rule poster containing only protective-goggles icon above entrance, worker puts on safety goggles before entering work area; rule guiding action.

Etymology

policyGreekgovernment, administration, citizenship

Greek politeia referred to government and administration. The meaning broadened from governing a state to a course of conduct or set of principles guiding decisions.

In context

Center for Strategic & International Studies35:45

the Ambassador mentioned the preferred Market access policy that has to do with uh forced localization of manufacturing

U.S.-India Economic Relations: A Reality Check

More examples

She explained the school's attendance policy.
Several policies governed access to the records.
The company changed its refund policy.

Forms

policy · policies

policymaker noun — Someone who develops rules or guiding plans.

Similar words

rule: A specific requirement rather than a general guiding approach.
strategy: A plan for achieving a particular goal.