big tent

American  

noun

1. 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.

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big tent British  

noun

1. 1. a political approach in which a party claims to be open to a wide spectrum of constituents and groups

   2. ( as modifier )

      big-tent politics

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Other Word Forms

• big-tent
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of big tent

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

"Carney has built a big tent, attracting members of parliament who would not normally be associated with the Liberal party," Sevi told the BBC.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

Finding that big tent of voters gets tougher and tougher.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 18, 2026

What are the pillars around which the big tent can be built, all the way from Mamdani to centrist Marines in Arizona?

From Slate • Aug. 19, 2025

“We built a big tent — a multigenerational, multiracial, multiethnic coalition of people, which just reflected my upbringing,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 7, 2024

He imagined a big tent on the bridge, with cots set up in neat rows.

From "I Survived Hurricane Katrina, 2005" by Lauren Tarshis