democratic party
MediumFormal
Definition
Meaning
One of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, formally known as the Democratic Party.
The older of the two major U.S. political parties, historically associated with social liberalism, a mixed economy, and government intervention in social welfare. More broadly, it refers to the organization, its members, officials, candidates, and the ideological movement it represents.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Always capitalized. Refers specifically to the U.S. institution. The adjective 'democratic' (lowercase) refers to a system of government. The party is often personified (e.g., 'The Democratic Party believes...').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, it is a proper noun referring solely to the U.S. political party. In American English, it is a central term in domestic politics and civic discourse.
Connotations
In the UK, it carries neutral-to-positive connotations as a foreign political entity. In the US, connotations are highly polarized and dependent on the speaker's political affiliation.
Frequency
Extremely high frequency in American English, especially in news and political discourse. Much lower frequency in British English, primarily in international news contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] joined/voted for/left the Democratic Party.The Democratic Party [verb: nominated/supported/endorsed] the candidate.There is a split within the Democratic Party over...Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(as) old as the Democratic Party”
- “a yellow-dog Democrat (slang: a staunch supporter)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in analysis of regulatory policy, taxation, and market impacts (e.g., 'Democratic Party proposals could affect corporate tax rates.').
Academic
Used in political science, history, and sociology to analyze ideology, voter demographics, and institutional development.
Everyday
Used in general discussion of politics, elections, and current events.
Technical
Used in political journalism, polling, and electoral law with specific reference to party structure, rules, and delegates.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The MP argued the US should Democratic-Party its healthcare system. (Non-standard, illustrative of potential error)
American English
- The incumbent is trying to Democratic-Party his image before the primary. (Non-standard, illustrative of potential error)
adverb
British English
- He voted Democratic-Party-ly. (Non-standard, illustrative of potential error)
American English
- The district leans Democratic-Party-wise. (Non-standard, illustrative of potential error)
adjective
British English
- He gave a speech on Democratic Party politics in America.
- The article analysed Democratic Party fundraising.
American English
- She is a Democratic Party strategist.
- It's a key Democratic Party state.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The Democratic Party is a big party in America.
- Joe Biden is from the Democratic Party.
- The Democratic Party and the Republican Party are the two main parties in the US.
- She has been a member of the Democratic Party for ten years.
- The Democratic Party's platform emphasizes healthcare reform and climate action.
- Internal divisions within the Democratic Party became apparent during the primary debates.
- The Democratic Party's coalition has increasingly relied on urban professionals, minority voters, and younger demographics.
- Historically, the Democratic Party underwent a realignment on civil rights issues in the mid-20th century.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a DONKEY (its symbol) at a DEMOcratic convention.
Conceptual Metaphor
POLITICAL PARTIES ARE TEAMS (competing in an election game). POLITICAL PARTIES ARE FAMILIES (with internal factions).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'демократическая партия' in lowercase, as it could refer to any democratic party globally. The established translation is 'Демократическая партия (США)'.
- Do not confuse with the historical 'Democratic-Republican Party' of Jefferson.
Common Mistakes
- Writing 'democratic party' in lowercase. Using 'Democrat Party' instead of 'Democratic Party' can be perceived as a slight.
- Using it as a generic term for any centre-left party outside the US.
Practice
Quiz
What is the symbol of the Democratic Party?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, as it is a proper noun referring to a specific organization.
Broadly, the Democratic Party is generally associated with centre-left, liberal policies emphasizing social welfare, government intervention, and progressive social values, while the Republican Party is generally associated with centre-right, conservative policies emphasizing free markets, limited government, and traditional values.
The standard adjective is 'Democratic' ('Democratic Party', 'Democratic candidate'). Using 'Democrat' as an adjective (e.g., 'Democrat party') is often considered grammatically non-standard and can be perceived as a partisan slight.
Its modern form traces back to the 1820s with Andrew Jackson, making it the world's oldest active political party. Its origins are often traced to the Democratic-Republican Party founded by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison in the 1790s.