democratic

American  

[dem-uh-krat-ik] / ˌdɛm əˈkræt ɪk /

Also democratical

adjective

1. pertaining to or of the nature of democracy or a democracy.

2. pertaining to or characterized by the principle of political or social equality for all.

   democratic treatment.

3. advocating or upholding democracy.

4. (initial capital letter)

   1. of, relating to, or characteristic of the Democratic Party.

   2. of, relating to, or belonging to the Democratic-Republican Party.

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democratic British  

/ ˌdɛməˈkrætɪk /

adjective

1. of, characterized by, derived from, or relating to the principles of democracy

2. upholding or favouring democracy or the interests of the common people

3. popular with or for the benefit of all

   democratic sports

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Usage

What does democratic mean? The adjective democratic is used to describe something that operates under or or resembles democracy, a form of government in which the citizens hold the power. Usually, the word democratic is used to describe political systems, governments, or countries that use such systems. It can also be used to describe voting systems, philosophies, or strategies that rely on a majority vote or that allow everyone to give their opinion. When capitalized, Democratic is used in the name of the Democratic Party, one of the major political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. Example: The United States of America practices a democratic form of government where citizens vote on issues and elect politicians by majority vote.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• prodemocratic
  adjective
• antidemocratical
  adjective
• antidemocratically
  adverb
• undemocratic
  adjective
• pseudo-Democratic
  adjective
• half-democratic
  adjective
• nondemocratical
  adjective
• predemocratic
  adjective
• superdemocratic
  adjective
• quasi-democratically
  adverb
• quasi-democratic
  adjective
• pseudodemocratically
  adverb
• nondemocratic
  adjective
• superdemocratically
  adverb
• undemocratically
  adverb
• nondemocratically
  adverb
• democratically
  adverb
• antidemocratic
  adjective
• hyperdemocratic
  adjective
• pseudodemocratic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of democratic

1595–1605; < French démocratique or Medieval Latin dēmocraticus, both < Greek dēmokratikós, equivalent to dēmokrat ( ía ) ( see democracy) + -ikos -ic

Explanation

Things that are democratic are ruled by the people, for the people. A basic democratic process involves letting everyone vote on what they think is best for the whole group. Democratic government started thousands of years ago in ancient Greece, but it's still catching on all over the world. A dictatorship or monarchy is ruled by one person, but in a democratic society, or a democracy, the people rule. Even though there is a leader — a President in the United States — he or she is elected by the people. Anything that allows people more say in the government is democratic.

Example Sentences

Mayor Mamdani, who describes himself as a democratic socialist, has said he will be attending the game, but "in a very different section of the stadium" to Trump.

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

There are good reasons why picking the leader of a nuclear-armed superpower should take longer than 33 days, and I’m not here to promise you that Malta is some sort of democratic utopia.

From Slate • Jun. 6, 2026

This reflects an uplifting democratic impulse based in economics as well as philosophy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

Instead, many chose self-proclaimed upstarts from opposite ends of the political spectrum: Republican reality TV star Spencer Pratt and democratic socialist City Councilmember Nithya Raman.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 2026

It welcomes all who embrace freedom to participate in the making of a democratic, nonracial South Africa.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

• autonomous
• constitutional
• egalitarian
• free
• orderly
• popular