major party

noun

: a political party having electoral strength sufficient to permit it to win control of a government usually with comparative regularity and when defeated to constitute the principal opposition to the party in power

Examples of major party 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.
Gallup says identify politically as independents or unaffiliated with either major party. — Terry Collins, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2026 During the 1970s, the two major parties moved from selecting their nominees at national conventions to a system where state primaries decided who would lead the ticket. — Peter Kastor, Fortune, 27 July 2026 Between 2016 and 2026, their numbers grew by more than 924,000, far faster than either major party. — J.c. Polanco, New York Daily News, 17 July 2026 With the latest court decision on political party spending the two major parties can accept unlimited funds coming from the mega rich to sway elections. — Gary Franks, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for major party

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of major party was in 1950

Rhymes for major party

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Browse Nearby Words

major order
major party
major penalty
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Cite this Entry

“Major party.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/major%20party. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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