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

This Is the Way to Tea Party From setting the table to greeting guests, Cece teaches her friends how to use their best manners while enjoying a tea party. —Alex Vance, Parents, 28 Apr. 2025

Also on May 5, King Charles, 76, and Queen Camilla, 77, will host a tea party for veterans and members of the World War II generation at Buckingham Palace. —Stephanie Petit, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025

Leon was one of 4,000 entries in a contest for a chance to be flown out to San Francisco to be professionally photographed in the new collection and attend the tea party. —Virgie Tovar, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025

Afternoon tea parties have a rich history among the British aristocracy but are less common in North America. —Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Apr. 2025

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