policy

policy
pol‧i‧cy S3 W1 AC /ˈpɒləsi, ˈpɒlɪsi $ ˈpɑː-/ noun (plural policies)1. [uncountable and countable] a way of doing something that has been officially agreed and chosen by a political party, a business, or another organization
    foreign/economic/public etc policy
    a foreign policy adviser
    The company has adopted a strict no-smoking policy.
    policy on/towards
    government policy on higher education
    US policy towards China
    it is (sb’s) policy to do something
    It is hospital policy to screen all mothers with certain risk factors.
2. [countable] a contract with an insurance company, or an official written statement giving all the details of such a contract:
    an insurance policy
    There’s a clause in the policy that I’d like to discuss.
    I’ve just renewed the policy (=arranged for it to continue).
    Does the policy cover theft and fire?
    You can take out a policy (=buy one) for as little as $11.00 a month.
3. [countable] a particular principle that you believe in and that influences the way you behave
    it is sb’s policy to do something
    It’s always been my policy not to gossip.
     

COLLOCATIONS

(for Meaning 1)

■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + policy
   ▪ government/public/state policy Government spending is determined by government policy.
   ▪ party policy State ownership is party policy.
   ▪ company/hospital/university etc policy It is not company policy to offer refunds.
   ▪ foreign policy Support for human rights is a key element in our foreign policy.
   ▪ economic/fiscal policy The middle classes have suffered most as a result of government economic policies.
   ▪ defence/energy/housing etc policy Our energy policies must put the environment first.
   ▪ a deliberate policy Some customers pursue a deliberate policy of delaying payment.
   ▪ a clear policy There was no clear policy on this matter.
   ▪ a coherent policy (=one in which all the parts of the policy work well together) A long-term coherent policy for industry is needed.
■ verbs
   ▪ formulate/develop a policy We try to formulate policies that will meet the needs of the people.
   ▪ make policy (=decide what it will be) A committee of representatives makes policy.
   ▪ shape policy (=develop it or have an influence on it) These terrorist acts will not be allowed to shape our foreign policy.
   ▪ adopt a policy (=use one) He adopted a policy of radical reform.
   ▪ implement a policy (=take action in the way that has been decided) Local government is responsible for implementing central government policy.
   ▪ pursue/follow a policy (=continue with a policy over a period of time) The organization is pursuing a policy of cost cutting.
   ▪ reverse a policy (=stop a policy and change it) The new government set about reversing previous policies.
   ▪ a policy aims at something/to do something (=tries to achieve something) The policy aimed to reduce the budget deficit.
■ policy + NOUN
   ▪ a policy decision No policy decision can be made until the next meeting.
   ▪ a policy statement There has been no policy statement on this from the French government.
   ▪ a policy change There have been numerous policy changes in recent months.
   ▪ a policy issue He rarely consulted him on general policy issues.
   ▪ a policy maker (=someone who decides on what it should be) Policy makers have not dealt with the issue very effectively.
   ▪ a policy objective How can we best achieve our policy objectives?
   ▪ a policy initiative (=something done to achieve a policy's goals) The policy initiatives have focused on the inner cities.
■ phrases
   ▪ a change of/in policy This decision represented a major change in policy.
   ▪ a shift in policy (=a small change) The shift in policy placed more emphasis on teachers' assessments of students' progress.
   ▪ a reversal of policy (=a change back to what it was before) The strength of this opposition forced a rapid reversal of policy.
     

COLLOCATIONS

(for Meaning 2)

■ NOUN + policy
   ▪ an insurance policy Is the damage covered by your insurance policy?
   ▪ a life policy/life insurance policy (=one that will pay out money if you die) New homeowners must usually buy a life policy before they can get a mortgage.
   ▪ a contents policy British English (=one that will pay out money if things in your home are damaged or stolen) Most basic contents policies cover accidents to mirrors.
■ verbs
   ▪ take out/buy a policy (=arrange it) People with children should take out a life insurance policy.
   ▪ renew a policy (=buy it again, especially regularly) The policy must be renewed every year.
   ▪ a policy covers something (=will pay out money in relation to it) The policy does not cover dental bills.
   ▪ a policy pays out (=pays you money when you claim it) I thought my insurance policy would pay out.
     

THESAURUS

   ▪ plan a set of actions for achieving something in the future, especially a set of actions that has been considered carefully and in detail: Leaders outlined a plan to end the fighting.
   ▪ plot/conspiracy a secret plan to do something bad or illegal, made by a group of people: There was a plot to assassinate the President. | a terrorist conspiracy
   ▪ scheme British English an official plan that is intended to help people: The government has introduced a new scheme to help young people find work.
   ▪ strategy a carefully designed plan which is intended to achieve a particular purpose over a long period of time: the company’s business strategy | The government’s economic strategy has been criticized by many experts. | We need to develop effective strategies for combating the sale of counterfeit goods.
   ▪ initiative a new plan for dealing with a particular problem or for achieving a particular aim: a peace initiative | a major new initiative to tackle street crime
   ▪ policy a plan that members of a government, political party, company etc agree on, that states how they intend to deal with a particular subject or problem: the government’s immigration policy | It’s company policy to allow people to work from home.
   ▪ programme British English, program American English a series of activities that a government or organization organizes, which aims to achieve something important and will continue for a long time: a five-year programme which will create 2000 new jobs | federal programs for low-income housing