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

ˌpär-tē-ˈlī-nər 

noun

Examples of party line in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But not every vote goes along party lines — and that’s where Kettler said the additional Democratic seats could make a difference. — Idaho Statesman, 7 Nov. 2026

The new Senate Majority Leader needn’t worry if, say, John Fetterman strolls across party lines. — David Remnick, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2026

But even some Republican voters crossed party lines, citing the economy and the war in Iran. — Muskaan Arshad, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2026

Her intentions were made clear in exchanges on social media with Bowden, who harshly criticized Honeycutt for crossing party lines, particularly for talking with Ocasio-Cortez. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 5 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for party line

• alkaline
• andesine
• anodyne
• anticline
• arginine
• asinine
• benzidine
• borderline
• byzantine
• calamine
• caroline
• centerline