caucus

[ kaw-kuhs ]

noun

, plural cau·cus·es.

1. U.S. Politics.
   1. a local meeting of party members to select candidates, elect convention delegates, etc.
   2. a meeting of party members within a legislative body to select leaders and determine strategy.
   3. Often Caucus. a faction within a legislative body that pursues its interests through the legislative process:

      the Women's Caucus; the Black Caucus.

2. any group or meeting organized to further a special interest or cause.

verb (used without object)

1. to hold or meet in a caucus.

verb (used with object)

1. to bring up or hold for discussion in a caucus:

   The subject was caucused.

2. to bring together or poll in a caucus:

   The paper caucused its new editorial board on Friday.

   The chairman caucused the water pollution committee before making recommendations.

caucus

/ ˈkɔːkəs /

noun

1. 1. a closed meeting of the members of one party in a legislative chamber, etc, to coordinate policy, choose candidates, etc
   2. such a bloc of politicians

      the Democratic caucus in Congress

2. 1. a group of leading politicians of one party
   2. a meeting of such a group
3. a local meeting of party members
4. a group or faction within a larger group, esp a political party, who discuss tactics, choose candidates, etc
5. a group of MPs from one party who meet to discuss tactics, etc
6. a formal meeting of all Members of Parliament belonging to one political party

verb

1. intr to hold a caucus

caucus

1. A meeting of members of a political party to nominate candidates, choose convention delegates, plan campaign tactics, determine party policy, or select leaders for a legislature.

Word History and Origins

Origin of caucus¹

An Americanism dating back to 1755–65; apparently first used in the name of the Caucus Club of colonial Boston; further origin uncertain; perhaps from Medieval Latin caucus “drinking vessel,” Late Latin caucum, from Greek kaûkos; perhaps from Virginia Algonquian Cawcawwassough “elders of the Chickahominy people”

Word History and Origins

Origin of caucus¹

C18: probably of Algonquian origin; related to caucauasu adviser

Example Sentences

Pat Robertson finished second in the 1988 Iowa caucus, and it was all downhill from there.

From The Daily Beast

In 2008 and 2012, Huckabee and Santorum, respectively won the Iowa Caucus, but did not make it to the finish line.

From The Daily Beast

Both are considered marginal figures in the House GOP caucus and have no real base of support for their respective bids.

From The Daily Beast

Also this week, he keynoted a fundraiser for Progress Iowa, an influential liberal group in the first-in-the-nation caucus state.

From The Daily Beast

The House caucus appears to be far more populist, feisty, and ready to push the debate on economic issues than it has in the past.

From The Daily Beast

He represents that vast army of electors whom neither canvasser nor caucus has ever yet cajoled or bullied into a polling-booth.

From Project Gutenberg

On the night before the Freeport debate the question had also been considered in a hurried caucus of Lincoln's party friends.

From Project Gutenberg

At a signal from the President of the Senate, a military band hidden in one of the caucus rooms began to play the national anthem.

From Project Gutenberg

He had not taken his degrees in the caucus and in hack politics.

From Project Gutenberg

A caucus of imperial rulers was held at which the Emperor of Germany presided.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• convention
• gathering
• meeting
• session