Main Entry: ¹par·ty

Pronunciation: \ˈpär-tē\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural parties

Etymology: Middle English partie part, party, from Anglo-French, from partir to divide — more at part

Date: 14th century

1 : a person or group taking one side of a question, dispute, or contest
2 : a group of persons organized for the purpose of directing the policies of a government
3 : a person or group participating in an action or affair <a mountain-climbing party> <a party to the transaction>
4 : a particular individual : person <an old party approaching 80>
5 : a detail of soldiers
6 : a social gathering; also : the entertainment provided for it

— party adjective