ideology

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   set of values and beliefs shared by individuals belonging to a specific group

   Identity is shaped by ideology.

2. 2
   noun

   Doctrine, philosophy, body of beliefs or principles belonging to an individual or group.

   A dictatorship bans things, that do not conform to its ideology, to secure its reign.

3. 3
   noun

   imaginary or visionary theorization

4. 4
   noun

   The study of the origin and nature of ideas.

Etymology

Borrowed from French idéologie, from idéo- + -logie (equivalent to English ideo- + -logy). Cognate with, but not derived from, idea. Coined 1796 by Antoine Destutt de Tracy. Modern sense of “doctrine” attributed to use of related idéologue (“ideologue”) by Napoleon Bonaparte as a term of abuse towards political opponents in early 1800s.