democrat

noun

dem·​o·​crat ˈde-mə-ˌkrat How to pronounce democrat (audio)
plural democrats
1
Democrat plural Democrats : a member of the Democratic party of the U.S. : a member of one of the two major political parties in the U.S. that is usually associated with government regulation of business, finance, and industry, with federally funded educational and social services, with separation of church and state, with support for abortion rights, affirmative action, gun control, and policies and laws that protect and support the rights of workers and minorities, and with internationalism and multilateralism in foreign policy

Note: Democrats are associated with liberalism and/or progressivism and the political Left (see left entry 2 sense 3a).

compare republican
2
old-fashioned
a
: one that favors or supports a democratic form of government (see democratic sense 2) : an adherent or advocate of democracy
It seems so easy for America to inspire and express the most expansive and humane spirit; new-born, free, healthful, strong, the land of the laborer, of the democrat, of the philanthropist, of the believer, of the saint, she should speak for the human race.Ralph Waldo Emerson
I was as much as ever a radical and democrat for Europe, and especially for England. I thought the predominance of the aristocratic classes, the noble and the rich, in the English Constitution, an evil worth any struggle to get rid of …John Stuart Mill
b
: one who practices or believes in social equality
The American, if intellectually an aristocrat, was still socially and subconsciously a democrat. It had never crossed his mind that the poet should be counted lucky to know the squire and not the squire to know the poet.G. K. Chesterton
He rejoiced to call himself a democrat, and would boast that rank could have no effect on him.Anthony Trollope

Examples of democrat in a Sentence

a true democrat, he has always abhorred that nation's class system
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.
Republicans argue Democrats want to fund health care for immigrants in the country illegally, a claim Democrats deny. Todd Spangler, Freep.com, 4 Oct. 2025 How Democrats fare in efforts to reclaim the governor's office could preview a national pattern and influence party strategies as the GOP strives to maintain control of the House and Senate while Democrats push for significant gains after a disappointing 2024. Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025 Democrats, as the party of government, have been known to escape blame for shutdowns arguably precipitated by their own actions. W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 2 Oct. 2025 But that short-term view isn’t driving Democrats’ strategy. Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for democrat

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French démocrate, derivative from the base of démocratie democracy or démocratique democratic, probably after aristocrate aristocrat

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of democrat was in 1788

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Democrat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/democrat. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

democrat

noun
dem·​o·​crat ˈdem-ə-ˌkrat How to pronounce democrat (audio)
1
: one who believes in or practices democracy
2
capitalized : a member of the Democratic party of the U.S.

More from Merriam-Webster on democrat

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!