Definition

1. Noun:
   • The collective entity of a politically organized community: "body politic" refers to the entire population of a nation or state, considered as a single political unit governed by a common authority. It emphasizes the people as the fundamental component of a political system.
   • The state in its political capacity: It denotes the organized political structure of a society, including its government and citizens, functioning as one corporate body.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The health of the body politic depends on the active participation of its citizens.
  • The new policy was designed to strengthen the entire body politic.
  • In a democracy, the will of the body politic is expressed through elections.

Advanced Usage

• "The body politic": Often used with the definite article "the" to refer specifically to the political community of a particular nation or state.
  • The scandal caused a crisis of confidence in the body politic.

Variants and Related Words

• Polity (n): A form or process of civil government or constitution; a politically organized society. (e.g., )
• Commonwealth (n): A political community founded for the common good. (e.g., )

Synonyms

• Nation: A large body of people united by common descent, history, culture, or language, inhabiting a particular state or territory.
• State: A nation or territory considered as an organized political community under one government.
• Country: A nation with its own government, occupying a particular territory.

Related Phrases

• "The ship of state": A metaphor comparing the body politic to a ship being steered by its leaders.
  • The president spoke of his duty to steer the ship of state through turbulent times.
• "The public weal": An archaic term for the well-being or prosperity of the body politic.
  • His decisions were always made with the public weal in mind.

Noun

1. a politically organized body of people under a single government
   • the state has elected a new president
   • African nations
   • students who had come to the nation's capitol
   • the country's largest manufacturer
   • an industrialized land