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.
But over time, state policymakers wisely chipped away. Arkansas Online, 16 Feb. 2026 The event saw several European leaders and policymakers reiterate the need for greater defense spending to accelerate the continent's strategic autonomy, with discussions of a common nuclear shield. Hugh Leask, CNBC, 16 Feb. 2026 Economists say productivity is usually understood better in retrospect, but Greenspan concluded that policymakers should let the economy run hot because anecdotes all pointed to strong productivity aided by the internet. Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026 Fed policymakers held interest rates steady last month after three straight cuts to close out 2025 as some officials continue to warn that inflation remains above the central bank’s 2% target. Enda Curran, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2026 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 16 Feb. 2026.

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