major party

noun

Updated on: 13 Apr 2018

Definition of major party

: 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

Recent Examples of major party from the Web

After Virginia released its candidate list Thursday, a total of 309 women from the two major parties have filed candidacy papers to run for the House.

— geoff mulvihill and maureen linke, The Christian Science Monitor, "Record number of women running for US House seats," 6 Apr. 2018
To circumvent the two major parties would require a realistic plan to win, and major financial backing -- maybe a billion dollars to get on ballots in all 50 states, guesses an adviser close to Kasich.

— cassie spodak, CNN, "John Kasich won't shut up and go away," 5 Apr. 2018
After Virginia released its candidate list Thursday, a total of 309 women from the two major parties have filed candidacy papers to run for the House.

— geoff mulvihill and maureen linke, chicagotribune.com, "Number of women running for U.S. House seats sets record," 5 Apr. 2018
Political pros in both major parties are pointing to a win for Democrats in a Wisconsin Supreme Court election as further evidence that an enthusiasm edge could carry Democrats to victory this fall.

— james freeman, WSJ, "How Republicans Can Keep their Majorities," 4 Apr. 2018
Though lacking major party backing, Fabricio Alvarado enjoyed high name recognition, especially in evangelical circles, and for working on one of the country’s main TV newscasts.

— BostonGlobe.com, "Costa Ricans split over gay marriage vote for next president," 1 Apr. 2018
But in many recent cases where fringe candidates have won major party nominations, the parties have been out of luck.

— david weigel, ajc, "Republicans seek alternative to 'Nazi' candidate, after he secures nomination," 21 Mar. 2018
But in many recent cases where fringe candidates have won major party nominations, the parties have been out of luck.

— david weigel, Washington Post, "Republicans seek alternative to ‘Nazi’ candidate after he secures nomination," 21 Mar. 2018
Over the past three months, America’s two major parties spent over $12 million on a race for a House vote that won’t matter – in a district that will soon cease to exist.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "5 Lessons From the Pennsylvania Special Election," 14 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'major party.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.