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

See Examples For:

democratic

Canadians regard compromise not as weakness but as democratic achievement.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026

Many here see America as a lighthouse of Western democratic values.

From Slate ● Sep. 8, 2026

In January, when the U.S. military captured Maduro, Trump did not say how long a democratic transition would take but said Rodríguez was “gracious” and “essentially willing to do what we think is necessary.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 7, 2026

Despite more than 30 years of democratic rule, that law remains on the statute books.

From BBC ● Sep. 3, 2026

Since I'd become a permanent resident, I'd suffered through two frustrating presidential elections without being allowed to vote, and it was important to me to exercise my democratic right in the next one.

From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi

Related Words

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