1.  ideology(n = noun.cognition) political orientation, political theory - an orientation that characterizes the thinking of a group or nation;
is a kind of orientation
has particulars: absolutism, totalism, totalitarianism, anarchism, autocracy, centrism, moderatism, collectivism, communism, conservatism, conservativism, segregationism, constitutionalism, democracy, social democracy, domino theory, elitism, extremism, fascism, federalism, imperialism, leftism, liberalism, meritocracy, libertarianism, monarchism, negritude, orleanism, progressivism, radicalism, reactionism, republicanism, rightism, socialism, theocracy, utopianism, dovishness, hawkishness
Derived forms adjective ideological₁, noun ideologist₁

2.  ideology(n = noun.cognition) - imaginary or visionary theorization;
is a kind of theorisation, theorization
Derived forms adjective ideologic₁, adjective ideological₂, noun ideologist₁

1.  The science of ideas. Stewart. [1913 Webster]

2.  A theory of the origin of ideas which derives them exclusively from sensation. [1913 Webster]
" By a double blunder in philosophy and Greek, idéologie . . . has in France become the name peculiarly distinctive of that philosophy of mind which exclusively derives our knowledge from sensation. Sir W. Hamilton." Sir W. Hamilton.

3.  A set or system of theories and beliefs held by an individual or group, especially about sociopolitical goals and methods to attain them; in common usage, ideology is such a set of beliefs so strongly held by their adherents as to cause them to ignore evidence against such beliefs, and thus fall into error -- in this sense it is viewed as a negative trait; contrasted to pragmatism, and distinct from idealism. [PJC]

ideology, n. (pl. -ies)
1 the system of ideas at the basis of an economic or political theory (Marxist ideology).
2 the manner of thinking characteristic of a class or individual (bourgeois ideology).
3 visionary speculation.
4 archaic the science of ideas.

Derivative:
ideological adj. ideologically adv. ideologist n.

Etymology:
F id{eacute}ologie (as IDEOLOGUE)

N  politics, political science, candidacy, campaign, campaigning, electioneering, partisanship, ideology, factionalism, election, poll, ballot, vote, referendum, recall, initiative, voice, suffrage, plumper, cumulative vote, plebiscitum, plebiscite, vox populi, electioneering, voting, elective franchise, straight ticket, opinion poll, popularity poll, issue, opinion, stand, position, program, platform, party line, democracy, republicanism, communism, statism, state socialism, socialism, conservatism, toryism, liberalism, whigism, theocracy, constitutional monarchy, party, Democratic Party, Republican Party, Socialist Party, Communist Party, Federalist Party, Bull Moose Party, Abolitionist Party, Christian Democratic Party, Social Democratic Party, National Socialist Worker's Party, Nazi Party, Liberal Party, Labor Party, Conservative Party, ticket, slate, politician activist, candidate, aspirant, hopeful, office-seeker, front- runner, dark horse, long shot, shoo-in, supporter, backer, political worker, campaign worker, lobbyist, contributor, party hack, ward heeler, regional candidate, favorite son, running mate, stalking horse, perpetual candidate, political animal, political contribution, campaign contribution, political action committee, PAC, political district, electoral division, electoral district, bailiwick, electorate, constituents, get-out-the-vote campaign, political education, negative campaigning, dirty politics, smear campaign, also-ran, loser, has-been, office holder, official, occupant of a position, public servant, incumbent, winner, political, partisan, Money is the mother's milk of politics.

N  intellect, mind, understanding, reason, thinking principle, rationality, cogitative faculties, cognitive faculties, discursive faculties, reasoning faculties, intellectual faculties, faculties, senses, consciousness, observation, percipience, intelligence, intellection, intuition, association of ideas, instinct, conception, judgment, wits, parts, capacity, intellectuality, genius, brains, cognitive powers, intellectual powers, wit, ability, wisdom, Vernunft, Verstand, soul, spirit, ghost, inner man, heart, breast, bosom, penetralia mentis, divina particula aurae, heart's core, the Absolute, psyche, subliminal consciousness, supreme principle, brain, organ of thought, seat of thought, sensorium, sensory, head, headpiece, pate, noddle, noggin, skull, scull, pericranium, cerebrum, cranium, brainpan, sconce, upper story, central processing unit, CPU, arithmetic and logical unit, ALU, metaphysics, psychics, psychology, ideology, mental philosophy, moral philosophy, philosophy of the mind, pneumatology, phrenology, craniology, cranioscopy, ideality, idealism, transcendentalism, spiritualism, immateriality, universal concept, universal conception, metaphysician, psychologist, intellectual, mental, rational, subjective, metaphysical, nooscopic, spiritual, ghostly, psychical, psychological, cerebral, animastic, brainy, hyperphysical, superphysical, subconscious, subliminal, immaterial, endowed with reason, in petto, ens rationis, frons est animi janua, locos y ninos dicen la verdad, mens sola loco non exulat, my mind is my kingdom, stern men with empires in their brains, the mind, the music breathing from her face, thou living ray of intellectual Fire.