144 English words
English vocabulary for politics, law and society
Useful English words about government, elections, law, crime, war and how communities work, with meanings, pronunciation and example sentences.
Words
A
- accedeverbC2to agree to a request or demand, often after first refusingThe company eventually acceded to the workers’ demands.
- accordnounC1a formal agreement between countries or groupsThe two nations signed a peace accord in Geneva.
- administrationnounB2the work of organizing and running a business, school or other organizationShe works in hospital administration.
- advocatenounC1a person who publicly supports a cause or speaks for othersShe is a strong advocate of free education.
- agencynounB2a business that provides a service for other people or companiesWe booked the trip through a travel agency.
- agreementnounB1an arrangement or promise between people, groups or countriesThe two companies signed an agreement.
- aidenounC1a person who helps someone important, especially a politician, in their workA senior aide to the president resigned yesterday.
- allegeverbC1to say that someone has done something wrong, without giving proofThe report alleges that officials accepted bribes.
- appealnounB2a serious public request for money, help or informationPolice issued an appeal for witnesses.
- appeaseverbC2to calm someone by giving them what they wantThe government tried to appease the protesters with promises.
- arbitrateverbC2to officially judge a disagreement between two sides as a neutral personA retired judge was asked to arbitrate the dispute.
- attackverbB1to try to hurt someone or damage something using violenceThe dog attacked a man in the park.
- attorneynounB2a lawyer, especially one who speaks for someone in courtYou should talk to an attorney before you sign.
- authoritynounB2the power to give orders or make decisionsOnly the manager has the authority to approve refunds.
B
C
- campaignnounB1a planned set of activities to achieve a goal, such as winning an electionThe campaign raised money for clean water.
- candidatenounB1a person who is trying to be chosen for a job or elected to a positionThree candidates applied for the manager’s job.
- capitulateverbC2to stop resisting and accept the demands of an opponentAfter a long strike, the company finally capitulated.
- casenounA2a particular situation or example of somethingIn some cases, the medicine causes headaches.
- cedeverbC2to give up land, power or rights to someone else, usually unwillinglyAfter the war, the country was forced to cede territory to its neighbor.
- chambernounC1a large room used for formal meetings, or a group that meets thereThe Senate chamber was full for the vote.
- churchnounA1a building where Christians go to pray and worshipThere’s an old stone church in the village.
- circumstancesnounB2the facts or conditions that affect a situation or eventUnder the circumstances, we had no choice but to cancel.
- citizennounB1a person who legally belongs to a country and has rights thereShe became a US citizen last year.
- civiladjectiveB2connected with the people of a country, not the army or religionThey had a civil wedding at city hall.
- classnounA1a group of students who are taught together, or a lessonI have a math class at nine.
- commissionnounC1an official group given the job of investigating or controlling somethingA commission was set up to investigate the accident.
- commitverbB2to do something wrong or illegalHe was accused of committing fraud.
- communitynounB1the people who live in one areaThe new park is good for the whole community.
- CongressnounB2the group of elected people who make laws in the USCongress passed the new law last week.
- consecrateverbC2to officially make a place or object holy in a religious ceremonyThe new church was consecrated last Sunday.
- conventionnounC1a large formal meeting of people from a profession or groupThousands attended the annual comic book convention.
- courtnounB1the place where a judge decides legal cases, or the judge and officials themselvesThe case will go to court in June.
- crimenounA2an action that is against the lawStealing a car is a serious crime.
- culturaladjectiveB1connected with the customs, beliefs and arts of a group of peopleMoving abroad means facing many cultural differences.
- culturenounA2the way of life, customs and beliefs of a group of peopleI love learning about Japanese culture.
D
- debatenounB1a discussion in which people give different opinions on a subjectThere is a lot of debate about the new tax.
- decorumnounC2polite, correct behavior that is suitable for a formal situationThe meeting was conducted with great decorum.
- decreenounC1an official order given by a ruler or government that has the force of lawThe president issued a decree closing the borders.
- defensenounB1the act of protecting someone or something from attackThe country spends a lot on defense.
- DemocratnounB2a member or supporter of the Democratic Party in the USBoth Democrats and Republicans supported the plan.
- democraticadjectiveB1based on a system where people choose their government by votingThe country held its first democratic election.
- deposeverbC2to remove a ruler or leader from power, often by forceThe king was deposed by his own army.
- depraveverbC2to make someone morally bad or evilSome critics claimed violent films would deprave young viewers.
E
- economicadjectiveB1connected with trade, industry and money in a countryThe country is going through an economic crisis.
- economynounB1the system of trade, industry and money in a country or regionTourism is important to the local economy.
- edictnounC2an official order given by someone in authorityThe emperor issued an edict banning the religion.
- electionnounB1a time when people vote to choose someone for an official positionWho do you think will win the next election?
- enjoinverbC2to order or strongly urge someone to do somethingThe doctor enjoined him to rest for a week.
- evidencenounB1facts, signs or objects that show something is trueThere is strong evidence that exercise improves mood.
- extortverbC2to get money or something else from someone by threats or forceThe gang extorted money from local shopkeepers.
F
- factionnounC2a small group within a larger one, which disagrees with the restRival factions fought for control of the party.
- federaladjectiveB2connected with the national government of a country made of states, rather than a single stateFederal law applies in every state.
- fightverbA2to use physical force against someone, or to take part in a warTwo boys were fighting in the playground.
- fineadjectiveA1healthy, well or acceptable“How are you?” “I’m fine, thanks.”
- flagnounB1a piece of cloth with a colored design that represents a country or groupThe national flag was flying over the building.
- forcenounB1physical strength or violenceThe police had to use force to open the door.
- foreignadjectiveA2from or connected with a country that is not your ownHow many foreign languages do you speak?
- freeadjectiveA1costing no moneyEntry to the museum is free on Sundays.
G
- gentrynounC2people of a high social class, especially landowners just below the nobilityThe house was built for a member of the local gentry.
- governmentnounA2the group of people who officially control a country or areaThe government plans to build more schools.
- grantverbB2to officially give or allow something someone has asked forThe bank granted us a loan.
- gunnounB1a weapon that shoots bulletsThe police officer was carrying a gun.
I
- imposedadjectiveC1forced on people by someone in authority, without their agreementWorkers resented the imposed changes to their schedule.
- institutionnounB2a large, important organization such as a university, bank or hospitalShe works for a financial institution in New York.
- insurgentnounC2a person fighting against the government or army of their own countryInsurgents attacked a military base.
- internationaladjectiveA2involving two or more countriesShe works for an international company.
- issuenounB1an important subject or problem that people discussClimate change is a global issue.
K
L
- lawnounA2an official rule made by a governmentThere is a law against smoking in restaurants.
- lawyernounA2a person whose job is to give legal advice and represent people in courtYou should talk to a lawyer before signing the contract.
- leadernounA2a person who leads or controls a group, country or organizationWorld leaders met to discuss the crisis.
- leaguenounB2a group of sports teams that play against each otherThey finished top of the league this season.
- legaladjectiveB1allowed by the lawIs it legal to park here at night?
- liberaladjectiveC1accepting different opinions and behavior; supporting social change and personal freedomShe grew up in a liberal household.
M
N
O
- officernounB1a police officerThe officer asked to see my license.
- officialadjectiveB1approved by or connected with people in authorityEnglish is one of the official languages of Canada.
- oppressverbC2to treat a group of people unfairly and cruelly, limiting their freedomThe regime oppressed religious minorities for decades.
- ordainverbC2to officially make someone a priest or minister in a religious ceremonyHe was ordained as a priest in 1998.
- organizationnounB1a group such as a company, club or charity with a shared purposeShe works for an organization that helps refugees.
P
- partisanadjectiveC2strongly supporting one political party or group, often without fair judgmentThe debate became bitterly partisan.
- partynounA1a social event where people meet to eat, drink, talk and have funWe’re having a party for her birthday.
- peacenounB1a situation with no war or fightingBoth countries want lasting peace.
- perpetrateverbC2to do something harmful, illegal or wrongThe attack was perpetrated by a small group.
- pleadverbC1to ask for something in an urgent, emotional wayShe pleaded with him not to leave.
- policenounA2the official organization whose job is to keep order and stop crimeThe police are looking for the driver.
- policynounB1a set of plans or rules agreed by a government, company or groupThe company has a strict no-smoking policy.
- politicaladjectiveB1connected with government, power and public affairsThe country is going through a political crisis.
- politicsnounB1the activities and ideas connected with governing a country or areaShe wants a career in politics.
- pompnounC2the impressive clothes, music and ceremony of an important official eventThe coronation was held with great pomp.
- populationnounB1the number of people who live in a particular placeThe city has a population of about two million.
- powernounA2control or influence over people and eventsThe president has the power to veto laws.
- presidentnounA2the leader of a country that does not have a king or queenThe president gave a speech on TV last night.
- privateadjectiveA2for one person or group only, not for everyoneThis is a private beach, so we can’t swim here.
- proceedingnounC1(plural) a legal action taken against someone in courtThe bank began legal proceedings against him.
- proprietynounC2correct and polite behavior that follows accepted moral or social standardsShe always behaved with complete propriety.
- publicadjectiveA2for everyone to use or know about, not privateThe library is open to the public.
R
- racenounA2a competition to see who is fastestShe won the 100-meter race.
- rampartnounC2a wide wall of earth or stone built to protect a castle or townWe walked along the ramparts of the old city.
- ratifyverbC2to make an agreement or treaty official by formally approving itThe treaty was ratified by all member states.
- recoursenounC2a possible source of help in a difficult situation, or the use of itWithout insurance, they had no recourse but to pay.
- religiousadjectiveB1connected with religionThe town has many religious buildings.
- repealverbC1to officially end a lawCongress voted to repeal the tax.
- representverbB1to act or speak officially for a person or groupShe represented her country at the Olympics.
- RepublicannounB2a member or supporter of the Republican Party, one of the two main US political partiesTwo Republicans voted against the bill.
- ridernounC1a person who rides a horse, bicycle or motorcycleThe rider fell off but was not hurt.
- rightadjectiveA1correct or trueThat’s the right answer.
- routnounC2a complete defeat, or a disorderly retreat after a defeatThe match ended in a 6–0 rout.
- rulenounA2an official instruction that says what is allowed or not allowedThe rules say no phones during the exam.
S
- sanctionnounC1an official order limiting trade or contact with a country, as a punishmentThe UN imposed sanctions on the regime.
- securitynounB1actions and people that protect a place or country from crime or attackSecurity at the airport was very tight.
- sentinelnounC2a soldier or guard whose job is to watch for dangerA sentinel stood at each gate of the fortress.
- sexualadjectiveB2connected with the biological differences between males and femalesThe law bans sexual discrimination at work.
- siegenounC1a military operation in which an army surrounds a place to force it to surrenderThe city was under siege for six months.
- situationnounA2all the facts and conditions at a certain time and placeThe situation is getting better.
- slayverbC2to kill violently, especially in battle or in storiesThe knight slew the dragon.
- socialadjectiveA2connected with society and the way people live togetherPoverty is a serious social problem.
- societynounB1people living together as a large community with shared laws and customsTechnology has changed modern society.
- soldiernounA2a person who is a member of an armyThe soldiers marched through the town.
- statenounA2the condition of someone or something at a certain timeThe house was in a terrible state.
- stipulateverbC2to state clearly that something must be done, especially in a contract or ruleThe contract stipulates that payment must be made within thirty days.
- stratumnounC2one layer of rock or soil lying between othersFossils were found in a stratum of limestone.
- suffragenounC2the right to vote in political electionsWomen won suffrage in the US in 1920.
- systemnounA2a set of connected parts or methods that work togetherThe city has a good public transportation system.
T
- taxnounB1money that people and businesses must pay to the governmentThe price includes sales tax.
- territorynounB2land controlled by a particular country, ruler or groupThe plane entered enemy territory.
- threatnounB2a statement that someone will hurt you or cause troubleHe made threats against his neighbor.
- traditionaladjectiveB1following customs or ways that have existed for a long timeWe ate traditional food at the festival.
- trialnounB2a legal process in court to decide if someone is guiltyThe trial lasted three weeks.
- tribunalnounC1a special court or official group that judges a particular kind of case or disputeAn international tribunal was set up to try war crimes.