caucus
verb
Did you know?
It’s hard to pinpoint the exact origins of caucus, but some scholars think the word may have developed from an Algonquian term for a group of elders, leaders, or advisers. An early example of the word in use comes from John Adams, who in February of 1763 reported that the Boston “caucus club,” a group of politically active city elders, would soon meet and that, at the meetings, those present would “smoke tobacco till you [could not] see from one end of the garret to the other.” A similarly opaque smoke screen seems to cloud the history of caucus to this day.
Examples of caucus in a Sentence
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2026
The letter came nearly three weeks after more than three dozen Democrats supported an effort by Sanders, who caucuses with Democrats, to block arms sales to Israel, signaling a growing discontent in the party with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the wars in Gaza and Iran.
—Bassem Mroue, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
Questions have been swirling about whether Cunningham would caucus — join party meetings at the legislature — with Democrats or join Republicans.
—Charlotte Observer, 6 May 2026
Others to watch Nebraska and Montana offer windows into whether independent candidates, who might caucus with Democrats, can distance themselves from the party label and give Republicans a tough time in these red states.
—Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for caucus
Cite this Entry
“Caucus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caucus. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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caucus
noun
