big tent

noun

a political party's or coalition's policy or doctrine of allowing and encouraging a wide range of beliefs, opinions, and views among its members.

Origin of big tent

First recorded in 1960–65

Other words from big tent

big-tent, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use big tent in a sentence

Santorum embraced a more pragmatic big-tent approach to these candidates.
Rick Santorum on ISIS & the Lack of Baptist Jihadis | Ben Jacobs | September 27, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The smaller “Flood Wall Street” eschewed the big-tent approach and focused on radical politics and aggressive activism.
Occupy Climate Change! Hundreds Blame Capitalism at Flood Wall Street Rally | Jacob Siegel | September 22, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
But the World Vision scandal is just the latest indication that the “big tent” of Cold War evangelicalism has collapsed.
World Vision’s Gay Compromise | Brad Kramer | March 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
McAuliffe is a big-tent Democrat who stands four-square in favor of both corporations and people.
The Dems’ Fork in the Road | David Frum | November 12, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Burning down the big tent causes long-term electoral problems, especially in a country that is increasingly diverse, not less.
Memo to the GOP: It’s Time to Listen to Your Elders | John Avlon | May 29, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST

At midnight, however, Jimmy entered the big tent quietly with a lantern, touching each of the fresh men on the shoulder.
Blazed Trail Stories | Stewart Edward White
The exhibition had already started, and they got inside the big tent-like enclosure as speedily as possible.
The Rover Boys on the Farm | Arthur M. Winfield (AKA Edward Stratemeyer)
He left his seat in a hurry, and, elbowing his way through the crowd, started for the entrance to the big tent-like enclosure.
The Rover Boys on the Farm | Arthur M. Winfield (AKA Edward Stratemeyer)
He missed doing his tricks, too, and he missed seeing the boys and girls and their parents, in the big tent.
Mappo, the Merry Monkey | Richard Barnum
It was soon decided to enlarge the Cave to accommodate five men, the other four consenting to squeeze into Stillwell's big tent.
The Home of the Blizzard | Douglas Mawson

British Dictionary definitions for big tent

big tent

noun

- a political approach in which a party claims to be open to a wide spectrum of constituents and groups
- (as modifier): big-tent politics

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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