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 Lawmakers voted to advance the measure 81-39 along party lines Thursday. Jenna Barackman, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024 Lawmakers spent nearly 30 minutes questioning Bivens about her daughter's situation before voting on party lines to pass the bill. The Arizona Republic, 7 Mar. 2024 The bill was approved along party lines, with Republicans in support and Democrats in opposition. Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2024 In 2018, Zhang Yiming, the founder of ByteDance, toed the party line after Beijing shut down ByteDance’s jokes app. Didi Tang, Fortune Asia, 14 Mar. 2024 This gives voters the opportunity to vote across party lines. Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2024 Mounting frustration with the company seemed to cross party lines at Wednesday's hearing. Joel Rose, NPR, 6 Mar. 2024 Both passed along party lines, with Democrats opposed. The Arizona Republic, 28 Feb. 2024 The County Commissioners Court on Wednesday voted down the measure along party lines. Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'party line.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near party line

Cite this Entry

“Party line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/party%20line. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on party line

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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