ideology

[ahy-dee-ol-uh-jee, id-ee-] /ˌaɪ diˈɒl ə dʒi, ˌɪd i-/

noun, plural ideologies.

the body of doctrine, myth, belief, etc., that guides an individual, social movement, institution, class, or large group.

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.

Philosophy.

the study of the nature and origin of ideas.
a system that derives ideas exclusively from sensation.

theorizing of a visionary or impractical nature.

Origin

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

Examples from the web for ideology

It is an alternative ideology, and its advocates should be given as much chance to explain their beliefs as any other.
His skills were in the communication aspect and the beliefs and ideology.
There has to be a common business interest or ideology before an online community can have much leverage.
The one provision was that it be renovated to reflect the change in ideology.
On the judgment date of our bet, my ideology or his will gain credence.
The political party system is immature and partisan, characterised by deep-seated factionalism and weak party ideology.
Environmentalism, consumerism, and political ideology.
We hear rhetoric about real reform and leaving ideology at the door.
Some of his policies, however, bear traces of the old ideology.
Today's world is divided not by ideology but by technology.

British Dictionary definitions for ideology

ideology

/ˌaɪdɪˈɒlədʒɪ/

noun (pl) -gies

a body of ideas that reflects the beliefs and interests of a nation, political system, etc and underlies political action

(philosophy, sociol) the set of beliefs by which a group or society orders reality so as to render it intelligible

speculation that is imaginary or visionary

the study of the nature and origin of ideas

Derived Forms

ideological (ˌaɪdɪəˈlɒdʒɪkəl), ideologic, adjective
ideologically, adverb

Word Origin and History for ideology

1796, "science of ideas," originally "philosophy of the mind which derives knowledge from the senses" (as opposed to metaphysics), from French idéologie "study or science of ideas," coined by French philosopher Destutt de Tracy (1754-1836) from idéo- "of ideas," from Greek idea (see idea) + -logy. Later used in a sense "impractical theorizing" (1813). Meaning "systematic set of ideas, doctrines" first recorded 1909.

Ideology ... is usually taken to mean, a prescriptive doctrine that is not supported by rational argument. [D.D. Raphael, "Problems of Political Philosophy," 1970]

ideology in Medicine

ideology i·de·ol·o·gy (ī'dē-ŏl'ə-jē, ĭd'ē-)
n.
The body of ideas reflecting the social needs and aspirations of an individual, a group, a class, or a culture.

ideology in Culture

ideology [(eye-dee-ol-uh-jee, id-ee-ol-uh-jee)]

A system of beliefs or theories, usually political, held by an individual or a group. Capitalism, communism, and socialism are usually called ideologies.