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
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.
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 It’s been going on for over two centuries and has been embraced by both major parties, with the GOP achieving the greatest advantage in recent redistricting actions. Harvey Levine, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Oct. 2025 The high-profile indictment comes as both major parties accuse each other of weaponizing the justice system, compounding doubts surrounding its integrity among Americans. Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Major party.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/major%20party. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

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!