party line

noun

1
: the policy or practice of a political party
2
: a single telephone circuit connecting two or more subscribers with the exchange

called also party wire

3
: the principles or policies of an individual or organization
also : the explanation or interpretation usually put forth
the party line that her mother was a saint Leslie Bennetts
party-liner noun

Examples of party line 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.
The vote went down party lines, with Republicans winning a 211-210 vote to keep them private, despite a growing call to release them from both sides of the political aisle. Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025 The support is sharply divided along party lines. Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025 Support for Kennedy is sharply divided along party lines, with 66% of Republicans viewing him favorably, compared to 31% of independents and 12% of Democrats. Taylor Millard, Boston Herald, 17 Oct. 2025 The resolution came up short in a 51-45 vote that fell mostly along party lines. Lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for party line

Word History

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of party line was in 1837

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Party line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/party%20line. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

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