party line

noun

1
: the policy or practice of a political party
2
: a single telephone circuit connecting two or more subscribers with the exchange

called also party wire

3
: the principles or policies of an individual or organization
also : the explanation or interpretation usually put forth
the party line that her mother was a saint Leslie Bennetts
party-liner noun

Examples of party line 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.
Her take on immigration is the latest example of her willingness to defy party lines. Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025 For the bill that Republicans have been putting forward to pass, five additional Democrats would need to cross party lines to support it. Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 11 Oct. 2025 At the start of the shutdown, Republicans held majorities in both the House and the Senate, but were unable to muster the 60 votes needed to get a spending bill through the upper chamber without Democrats crossing party lines. Chantelle Lee, Time, 10 Oct. 2025 That vote also failed, 47 to 52, along party lines. Al Weaver, The Hill, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for party line

Word History

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of party line was in 1837

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Party line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/party%20line. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

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