party

American  

[pahr-tee] / ˈpɑr ti /

noun

plural

parties

1. a social gathering, as of invited guests at a private home, for conversation, refreshments, entertainment, etc..

   a cocktail party.

   Synonyms:

   assemblage, meeting

2. a group gathered for a special purpose or task.

   a fishing party; a search party.

3. a detachment, squad, or detail of troops assigned to perform some particular mission or service.

4. a group of persons with common purposes or opinions who support one side of a dispute, question, debate, etc.

   Synonyms:

   ring, coterie, circle, faction

5. a group of persons with common political opinions and purposes organized for gaining political influence and governmental control and for directing government policy.

   the Republican Party; the Democratic Party.

6. the system of taking sides on public or political questions or the like.

7. attachment or devotion to one side or faction; partisanship.

   to put considerations of party first.

8. Law.

   1. one of the litigants in a legal proceeding; a plaintiff or defendant in a suit.

   2. a signatory to a legal instrument.

   3. a person participating in or otherwise privy to a crime.

9. a person or group that participates in some action, affair, plan, etc.; participant.

   He was a party to the merger deal.

10. the person under consideration; a specific individual.

    The package was delivered to the wrong party.

11. a person or, usually, two or more persons together patronizing a restaurant, attending a social or cultural function, etc..

    The headwaiter asked how many were in our party; a party of 12 French physicists touring the labs; a party of one at the small table.

12. a person participating in a telephone conversation.

    I have your party on the line.

13. any occasion or activity likened to a social party, as specified; session.

    The couple in the next apartment are having their usual dish-throwing party.

14. something lively, stimulating, or bustling: That plastic water bottle is a germ party.

    It’s so delicious, it’s like a party in your mouth.

    That plastic water bottle is a germ party.

15. an advantageous or pleasurable situation or combination of circumstances of some duration and often of questionable character; period of content, license, exemption, etc..

    The police broke in and suddenly the party was over for the nation's most notorious gunman.

---

adjective

1. of or relating to a party or faction; partisan.

   party leaders.

2. of or for a social gathering.

   her new party dress.

3. being shared by or pertaining to two or more persons or things.

4. Heraldry. (of an escutcheon) having the field divided into a number of parts, usually two; parted.

verb (used without object)

Informal.

partied, partying

1. to go to or give parties, especially a series of parties.

2. to enjoy oneself thoroughly and without restraint; indulge in pleasure.

party British  

/ ˈpɑːtɪ /

noun

1. 1. a social gathering for pleasure, often held as a celebration

   2. ( as modifier )

      party spirit

   3. ( in combination )

      partygoer

2. a group of people associated in some activity

   a rescue party

3. 1. (often capital) a group of people organized together to further a common political aim, such as the election of its candidates to public office

   2. ( as modifier )

      party politics

4. the practice of taking sides on public issues

5. a person, esp one who participates in some activity such as entering into a contract

6. the person or persons taking part in legal proceedings, such as plaintiff or prosecutor

   a party to the action

7. informal a person

   he's an odd old party

8. to take part or become involved

---

verb

1. informal to celebrate; revel

adjective

1. heraldry (of a shield) divided vertically into two colours, metals, or furs

party Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing party

• life of the party

---

Usage

Party meaning “a specific individual” is old in the language, going back to the 15th century, and was formerly in common use. Today, it remains standard in limited senses, chiefly the legal, and is often used humorously or condescendingly: the party holding the balloon. The word person is the neutral and common term.

Related Words

See company.

Other Word Forms

• interparty adjective
• nonparty adjective
• partyless adjective
• subparty noun

Etymology

Origin of party

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English partie, paarty, from Old French, noun use of feminine of parti, past participle of partir “to divide, separate, go away,” from Latin partīre “to share, divide”; see part

Explanation

If you have a party, you invite people who will likely get along and like each other. If you join a political party, you choose the one whose members share your views. Party comes from part, which means "a division in the whole." You can see this in political parties: the groups that make up the whole of voters in a nation. Party also means "person or group," which we are reminded of at restaurants when asked, "How many are in your party?" This is how party as in "a social gathering" or as a verb — the act of enjoying yourself at such a gathering — came about.

Example Sentences

Later that evening, Charles was mobbed by hundreds of well-wishers at a tea party held at the British Embassy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

The article advocates for candidates willing to challenge their own party and allies on tough decisions, asking Democrats to address organized labor concerns and Republicans to stand up to President Trump when California’s interests diverge.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026

Don't ignore the smaller parties, they may get a chance to implement some of their policies as part of an agreement with the governing party.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

No party is likely to win outright control of the Senedd on 7 May and it is expected that groups will have to work together to some extent.

From BBC • Apr. 27, 2026

"As Jonn says, we cannot risk it. We have already lost one member of our party."

From "Rowan of Rin" by Emily Rodda

Related Words

• association
• bloc
• body
• faction
• side
• union