republican: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal (political science, history, news); Neutral (general discourse, especially in US politics).
Quick answer
What does “republican” mean?
A person who supports or advocates for a republic, a form of government without a monarch, where power is held by the people and their elected representatives. Also refers to a member or supporter of a specific political party, notably the Republican Party in the US.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who supports or advocates for a republic, a form of government without a monarch, where power is held by the people and their elected representatives. Also refers to a member or supporter of a specific political party, notably the Republican Party in the US.
Pertaining to the principles of a republic, such as representative democracy, civic virtue, and opposition to hereditary rule. Can describe systems, values, or individuals aligned with these principles. In a US context, it specifically denotes affiliation with the conservative-leaning Republican Party.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'Republican' (capitalised) most commonly refers to someone advocating for the abolition of the British monarchy, e.g., supporting an Irish republic or a British republic. It is not a major party label. In the US, 'Republican' (capitalised) is a major political party identifier, one of the two dominant parties. The lowercase 'republican' (principle) is understood but less common.
Connotations
UK: Often associated with Irish nationalism (e.g., Sinn Féin), or with fringe movements opposing the monarchy. Can have radical or historical connotations. US: Mainstream political identity. Connotations vary widely based on speaker's perspective, from 'conservative', 'traditional', 'fiscally responsible' to 'right-wing', 'reactionary' etc.
Frequency
In US media/politics, extremely high frequency. In UK media, moderate frequency, often in historical contexts (Roman Republic, French Republic) or discussing US politics/Irish issues.
Grammar
How to Use “republican” in a Sentence
[be] a Republican[vote] Republican[run] as a Republican[identify as] a Republican[elect] a RepublicanVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “republican” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- He was a committed republican who campaigned for the abolition of the House of Lords.
- The debate pitted the republicans against the staunch monarchists.
American English
- She has been a registered Republican since she turned 18.
- The Republicans gained control of the Senate in the midterm elections.
adjective
British English
- The republican sentiment grew after the revolution.
- They argued for a more republican constitution.
American English
- The Republican candidate held a rally in Ohio.
- His republican values emphasised individual liberty and small government.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in discussions about political risk or regulation (e.g., 'The Republican-led committee passed the bill.').
Academic
Common in political science, history, and law (e.g., 'Roman republican virtues', 'the Republican theory of liberty').
Everyday
Very common in US everyday talk about politics (e.g., 'My dad is a Republican.'). Less common in UK, except regarding US politics or Irish issues.
Technical
In political philosophy, denotes a specific school of thought (civic republicanism) distinct from liberalism.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “republican”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “republican”
- Using lowercase 'republican' when referring specifically to the US political party (should be capitalised 'Republican').
- Assuming all 'republicans' (small r) are members of the US Republican Party.
- Confusing 'Republican' (US) with 'republican' (Irish context).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is capitalised when referring specifically to a member or aspect of the Republican Party (e.g., a Republican senator). When referring to the general principle of supporting a republic (small 'r'), it is often lowercase (e.g., republican values).
In the US, 'Republican' and 'Democrat' refer to members of the two major political parties. The Republican Party is generally considered more conservative, favoring lower taxes, a strong national defense, and traditional social values. The Democratic Party is generally considered more liberal, favoring broader social programs, environmental regulation, and progressive social policies.
Yes. A 'republican' in this sense is someone who holds the political belief that the monarchy should be abolished and replaced with a republic, even if they currently live under a monarchical system.
GOP stands for 'Grand Old Party,' which is a traditional nickname for the US Republican Party.
A person who supports or advocates for a republic, a form of government without a monarch, where power is held by the people and their elected representatives. Also refers to a member or supporter of a specific political party, notably the Republican Party in the US.
Republican is usually formal (political science, history, news); neutral (general discourse, especially in us politics). in register.
Republican: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˈpʌblɪkən/, and in American English it is pronounced /rəˈpəbləkən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: REPUBLIC + AN. A republic is a country without a king/queen; a republican is a person for that idea. In the US, picture the Republican Party's elephant symbol.
Conceptual Metaphor
POLITICAL IDENTITY IS A TEAM (US: 'He's on the Republican team.'), POLITICAL PRINCIPLES ARE A FOUNDATION ('built on republican foundations').
Practice
Quiz
In a British context, which of the following is the most likely meaning of 'a republican'?