tea party
noun
1
: an afternoon social gathering at which tea is served
2
[from the Boston Tea Party, name applied to the occasion in 1773 when a shipment of tea was thrown into Boston harbor in protest against the tax on imports]
: an exciting disturbance or proceeding
3
usually Tea Party
: a 21st century U.S. political movement in favor of lower taxes, fewer government regulations and programs, strict immigration control, and a strong military
"Tea Party" has become something of a catch-all term to describe an impassioned and empowered group of populist conservatives. They are largely antigovernment, a lot of them are self-described libertarians, and many say they are new to political activism. It is easy to think of them as a singular entity and a growing one.—
Mark Leibovich
Mark LeibovichConservative activists started holding "Tea Party" protests in 2009 to vent outrage over federal stimulus spending, the Wall Street bailout and rising national debt. The movement quickly had an electoral impact, culminating in the 2010 midterm elections when the GOP captured the House.—Martha T. Moore
Martha T. MooreExamples of tea party in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Get ready for special occasions with this tea party-chic dress that gives off cottagecore vibes.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 June 2026
His work as campaign chairman in 2006 and 2008 helped build an eight-year majority that endured the tea party wave of 2010.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 12 June 2026
What to expect at the new Lowes Foods Features at the Kannapolis store, Lowes Foods said, include the Community Table to gather for food pairings, tea parties and floral arranging classes, plus parties and events.
—Charlotte Observer, 4 June 2026
The elaborate staging kept with the song’s energy, with the group bursting out of a giant pink teddy bear outfitted with speakers for paws, interrupting a tea party scene populated by extras with pinkies raised, before launching into the track amid a cascade of colour and floating stuffed animals.
—Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for tea party
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Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 June 2026
His work as campaign chairman in 2006 and 2008 helped build an eight-year majority that endured the tea party wave of 2010.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 12 June 2026
What to expect at the new Lowes Foods Features at the Kannapolis store, Lowes Foods said, include the Community Table to gather for food pairings, tea parties and floral arranging classes, plus parties and events.
—Charlotte Observer, 4 June 2026
The elaborate staging kept with the song’s energy, with the group bursting out of a giant pink teddy bear outfitted with speakers for paws, interrupting a tea party scene populated by extras with pinkies raised, before launching into the track amid a cascade of colour and floating stuffed animals.
—Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for tea party
Cite this Entry
“Tea party.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tea%20party. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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