democratic

American  

[dem-uh-krat-ik] / ˌdɛm əˈkræt ɪk /

Also democratical

adjective

1. pertaining to or of the nature of democracy or a democracy.

2. pertaining to or characterized by the principle of political or social equality for all.

   democratic treatment.

3. advocating or upholding democracy.

4. (initial capital letter)

   1. of, relating to, or characteristic of the Democratic Party.

   2. of, relating to, or belonging to the Democratic-Republican Party.

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democratic British  

/ ˌdɛməˈkrætɪk /

adjective

1. of, characterized by, derived from, or relating to the principles of democracy

2. upholding or favouring democracy or the interests of the common people

3. popular with or for the benefit of all

   democratic sports

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Usage

What does democratic mean? The adjective democratic is used to describe something that operates under or or resembles democracy, a form of government in which the citizens hold the power. Usually, the word democratic is used to describe political systems, governments, or countries that use such systems. It can also be used to describe voting systems, philosophies, or strategies that rely on a majority vote or that allow everyone to give their opinion. When capitalized, Democratic is used in the name of the Democratic Party, one of the major political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. Example: The United States of America practices a democratic form of government where citizens vote on issues and elect politicians by majority vote.

Other Word Forms

• antidemocratic
  adjective
• antidemocratical
  adjective
• antidemocratically
  adverb
• democratically
  adverb
• half-democratic
  adjective
• hyperdemocratic
  adjective
• nondemocratic
  adjective
• nondemocratical
  adjective
• nondemocratically
  adverb
• predemocratic
  adjective
• prodemocratic
  adjective
• pseudo-Democratic
  adjective
• pseudodemocratic
  adjective
• pseudodemocratically
  adverb
• quasi-democratic
  adjective
• quasi-democratically
  adverb
• superdemocratic
  adjective
• superdemocratically
  adverb
• undemocratic
  adjective
• undemocratically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of democratic

1595–1605; < French démocratique or Medieval Latin dēmocraticus, both < Greek dēmokratikós, equivalent to dēmokrat ( ía ) ( see democracy) + -ikos -ic

Explanation

Things that are democratic are ruled by the people, for the people. A basic democratic process involves letting everyone vote on what they think is best for the whole group. Democratic government started thousands of years ago in ancient Greece, but it's still catching on all over the world. A dictatorship or monarchy is ruled by one person, but in a democratic society, or a democracy, the people rule. Even though there is a leader — a President in the United States — he or she is elected by the people. Anything that allows people more say in the government is democratic.

Example Sentences

"And Serbia must be part of the democratic, European community."

From Barron's • May 23, 2026

The group also received a boost with the election of democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani as New York City’s mayor.

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026

Other presidents have also sometimes behaved contrary to democratic ideals, and national memorials often present a more sanitized version of American history.

From Slate • May 18, 2026

Mamdani, who calls himself a democratic socialist, went to JPMorgan Chase’s new headquarters at 270 Park Avenue for a noon meeting with the billionaire Dimon.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026

A more democratic world—and one with the legal institutions that go hand in hand with democracy—is a more rhetorical one.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith

Related Words

• autonomous
• constitutional
• egalitarian
• free
• orderly
• popular