tea party

noun

1

: an afternoon social gathering at which tea is served

2

[from the Boston Tea Party, name applied to the occasion in 1773 when a shipment of tea was thrown into Boston harbor in protest against the tax on imports] : an exciting disturbance or proceeding

3

usually Tea Party : a 21st century U.S. political movement in favor of lower taxes, fewer government regulations and programs, strict immigration control, and a strong military

"Tea Party" has become something of a catch-all term to describe an impassioned and empowered group of populist conservatives. They are largely antigovernment, a lot of them are self-described libertarians, and many say they are new to political activism. It is easy to think of them as a singular entity and a growing one.

—Mark Leibovich

Conservative activists started holding "Tea Party" protests in 2009 to vent outrage over federal stimulus spending, the Wall Street bailout and rising national debt. The movement quickly had an electoral impact, culminating in the 2010 midterm elections when the GOP captured the House.

—Martha T. Moore

Examples of tea party in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The elaborate staging kept with the song’s energy, with the group bursting out of a giant pink teddy bear outfitted with speakers for paws, interrupting a tea party scene populated by extras with pinkies raised, before launching into the track amid a cascade of colour and floating stuffed animals. —Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026

Frank faced his toughest reelection campaign in years in 2010 as the tea party wave swept over American politics. —Steven Sloan, Fortune, 20 May 2026

In 2010, Frank faced an unexpectedly strong challenge from Sean Bielat, a Republican tea party candidate. —Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 20 May 2026

Get ready for special occasions with this tea party-chic dress that gives off cottagecore vibes. —Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1778, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for tea party

• astarte
• mccarty
• nonparty
• arty
• carty
• hearty
• parti
• counterparty
• multiparty