policymaker

noun

pol·​i·​cy·​mak·​er ˈpä-lə-sē-ˌmā-kər How to pronounce policymaker (audio)
variants or less commonly policy maker or policy-maker
plural policymakers also policy makers or policy-makers
: someone who is responsible for or involved in establishing policy
economic policymakers
He had been a policymaker under four Republican and Democratic Presidents and had spent years on Capitol Hill fencing with congressional committees and lobbying for votes.William Greider

Examples of policymaker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Illinois policymakers just voted to give more than $300 million in additional funding to public schools. Bruce Rauner, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2025 Russia’s central bank cut interest rates for the first time since late 2022, as policymakers fear a red-hot wartime economy could tip into a downturn. Ben Smith, semafor.com, 6 June 2025 At the same time, policymakers are introducing stronger regulations to drive circular economy adoption and reduce plastic leakage. Rob Kaplan, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025 The effect of tariffs on inflation is less clear and could depend on if, and how, the European Union strikes back, policymakers have said. Sophie Kiderlin, CNBC, 5 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for policymaker

Word History

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of policymaker was in 1868

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Cite this Entry

“Policymaker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/policymaker. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.

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