major party

noun

: a political party having electoral strength sufficient to permit it to win control of a government usually with comparative regularity and when defeated to constitute the principal opposition to the party in power

Examples of major party in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Demobilized soldiers flocked to the paramilitary organizations that all major parties maintained, from the Nazi Stormtroopers (SA) to the conservative Steel Helmet League to the communists’ Red Front Fighters’ Association. Time, 23 Oct. 2025 The results come on the heels of another Gallup survey, which found a near-record high 62% of Americans believe both major parties are failing to represent them and that a third party is needed. Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2025 Write-in candidates typically have not garnered enough votes to upset major party candidates. Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2025 Congress has been unable to pass either of two dueling measures proposed by both major parties. NPR, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for major party

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of major party was in 1950

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Cite this Entry

“Major party.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/major%20party. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.

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