big tent

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.

big tent

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

Other Word Forms

• big-tent adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of big tent¹

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

This expanded criteria makes discussions about curing or preventing autism incredibly fraught, because the label autism spectrum disorder is now such a big tent.

From Slate

Their big tent encompasses not just international socialist and social democratic parties but also Greens, Liberals - and even some former Conservatives.

From BBC

“But now we’re back playing the big tent. We’ve ramping up the silliness.”

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Slate

Pod Save America was founded on one principle—to be ardent warriors for the Democratic brand—superseding all personal leanings in service to the fabled big tent.

From Slate