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.

---

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

---

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

“It really has become the big tent of streaming. They’ve invested pretty significantly to develop a stockpile of content.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2025

He knew where they were going: the big tent on the far side of the fire pit, its painted canvas walls cracked and faded by years of sun and rain.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin