democratic

adjective

dem·​o·​crat·​ic ˌde-mə-ˈkra-tik 

1

: of, relating to, or favoring democracy (see democracy sense 1)

democratic elections

a democratic government

2

often capitalized : of or relating to one of the two major political parties in the U.S. evolving in the early 19th century from the anti-federalists and the Democratic-Republican party and associated in modern times with policies of broad social reform and internationalism

the Democratic candidate for governor

3

: relating to, appealing to, or available to the broad masses of the people

democratic art

democratic education

4

: favoring social equality : not snobbish

disagrees with her very democratic husband

democratically

ˌde-mə-ˈkra-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• popular
• republican
• self-governing
• self-ruling

Examples of democratic in a Sentence

Democratic elections were held there today for the first time.

the country's new democratic constitution

Debates are an important part of the democratic process.

The Democratic candidate for governor won the debate.

Most of these policies appeal to Democratic voters.

an interview with a leader of the Democratic Party

The organization works to promote democratic reforms around the world.

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Recent Examples on the Web

Nor has Elon Musk, at any point in his career, displayed any commitment to either democratic governance or the freedom of expression. —Jill Lepore, The New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2023

Israel faces an ongoing constitutional crisis — without a constitution The court could determine that the law does not meet the threshold for invalidation, while signaling to the Knesset that future measures more obviously in violation of democratic principles might be overturned. —Shira Rubin, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2023

The two contenders are Sandra Torres, candidate of the formerly democratic, increasingly right-leaning National Unity of Hope (UNE), who obtained 881,592 votes (15.8%) in the first round. —Soudi Jiménez, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2023

But democratic Europe was not Zdarsky’s destination. —Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Aug. 2023

If our leaders violate sacrosanct democratic principles, they will be held accountable regardless of the political fallout. —Julian Zelizer, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2023

Christie has voiced support for Ukraine as a democratic ally and his visit highlighted the sharp GOP divisions over U.S. financial backing for Kyiv. —Beatriz Ríos, Washington Post, 5 Aug. 2023

In judicial overhaul protests, Israel’s soldiers face off against Netanyahu Washington’s overheated discourse on Israel serves as a major constraint on any administration that may want to speak up for Palestinian human rights or against the Israeli state’s democratic erosion. —Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 25 July 2023

Israel is facing extraordinary turmoil and a democratic crisis as opposition leaders and protesters step up their campaign against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s judicial overhaul plan. —Patrick Smith, NBC News, 25 July 2023

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Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French democratique, borrowed from Medieval Latin dēmocraticus, borrowed from Greek dēmokratikós, from dēmokratía democracy + -ikos -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing democratic

• democratic centralism
• democratic socialism

• democratic centralism
• democratic socialism

Kids Definition

democratic

adjective

dem·​o·​crat·​ic ˌdem-ə-ˈkrat-ik 

1

: of, relating to, or favoring political, social, or economic democracy

2

capitalized : of or relating to a major U.S. political party associated with policies of helping the common people and encouraging cooperation between nations

3

: of, relating to, or appealing to the common people

democratic art

4

: favoring social equality : not snobbish

democratically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb