body politic: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Academic, Literary
Quick answer
What does “body politic” mean?
A metaphorical concept referring to a nation, state, or society considered as a single, organized collective entity, governed by laws and institutions.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A metaphorical concept referring to a nation, state, or society considered as a single, organized collective entity, governed by laws and institutions.
The collective citizenry or populace of a political entity, often emphasizing the relationship between the governing authority and the governed, or the health and functioning of the state as a whole.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The term is used similarly in both political and academic discourse.
Connotations
Carries connotations of formal political theory, classical republicanism, and the social contract. May sound archaic or highly rhetorical in casual contexts.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in formal political, historical, and legal writing in both varieties; very rare in everyday speech.
Grammar
How to Use “body politic” in a Sentence
[Determiner] + body politic + [Verb (singular)]The + body politic + of + [Country/Entity]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “body politic” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A – not used as a verb.
American English
- N/A – not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- N/A – no adverbial form.
American English
- N/A – no adverbial form.
adjective
British English
- N/A – 'body politic' is not used adjectivally. Use 'politic' (archaic) or 'political'.
- The body-politic metaphor is ancient. (Hyphenated compound adjective)
American English
- N/A – 'body politic' is not used adjectivally. Use 'political'.
- His analysis focused on body-politic theory. (Hyphenated compound adjective)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Common in political science, philosophy, history, and law texts discussing theories of the state.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would sound pretentious or overly formal.
Technical
Used as a specific term in political theory and constitutional law.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “body politic”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “body politic”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “body politic”
- Using plural verb agreement (e.g., 'The body politic are...') – it typically takes a singular verb.
- Using it to refer to a physical political party or a politician's physical body.
- Misspelling as 'body political'.
- Using in informal contexts where 'country' or 'society' would be appropriate.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a formal, academic term used primarily in political theory, history, and law. It is very rare in everyday conversation.
Traditionally, it refers to a sovereign state or nation. However, in extended metaphorical use, it can sometimes be applied to smaller, organized political communities, though this is less common.
They are very close synonyms. 'Polity' is slightly more neutral and technical, referring to a form or process of civil government. 'Body politic' carries a stronger metaphorical sense of the state as a living, organic whole.
Because 'body politic' is a singular, collective noun phrase. The focus is on the unitary entity, not the plurality of individuals within it. Compare to 'the team is' vs. 'the team are' (the latter being a British collective noun usage).
A metaphorical concept referring to a nation, state, or society considered as a single, organized collective entity, governed by laws and institutions.
Body politic is usually formal, academic, literary in register.
Body politic: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbɒdi ˈpɒlɪtɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbɑːdi ˈpɑːlɪtɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A cancer on the body politic”
- “The head and the body politic”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a country as a giant person (a body). The government is the head, laws are the skeleton, citizens are the cells. This 'political body' is the body politic.
Conceptual Metaphor
A STATE IS A BODY (with health, disease, a head, members, etc.).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'body politic' MOST appropriately used?