left wing

noun

1. members of a liberal or radical political party, or those favoring extensive political reform.
2. such a party or a group of such parties.
3. the part of a political or social organization advocating a liberal or radical position.

left wing

noun

1. often capital the leftist faction of an assembly, party, group, etc; the radical or progressive wing
2. the units of an army situated on the left of a battle position
3. sport
   1. the left-hand side of the field of play from the point of view of either team facing its opponents' goal
   2. a player positioned in this area in certain games

adjective

1. of, belonging to, or relating to the political left wing

left-wing

¹

1. A descriptive term for liberal , radical , or revolutionary political views, particularly the view that there are unacceptable social inequalities in the present order of society. Communists and socialists, as well as moderate liberals, come under the term left-wing . Left-wing groups are sometimes known collectively as the Left. ( Compare right-wing .)

left-wing

²

1. A descriptive term for an individual or a political faction that advocates liberal , radical , or even revolutionary policies, usually in favor of overcoming social inequalities. In the United States, left-wing groups generally support federal social welfare programs designed to open opportunities to all citizens. ( Compare right-wing .)

Notes

Although both major political parties in the United States have left-wing factions, left-wing policies are usually associated with the Democratic party .

Derived Forms

• ˌleft-ˈwinger, noun

Other Words From

• left-wing adjective
• left-winger noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of left wing¹

First recorded in 1700–10

Idioms and Phrases

The liberal or radical faction of a political group, as in Many consider him a leader of the Democratic Party's left wing . This expression originated in the seating practice of European legislatures, whereby those holding liberal views were assigned to the left side of the house. [First half of 1800s]

Example Sentences

The left-wing blogosphere was all over a report that the House GOP was cutting Ebola funding.

From The Daily Beast

Christie, with his Jersey Boy charm and willingness to butt heads when necessary, has long been a threat to the left wing.

From The Daily Beast

Perry has also benefited from the fact that the national media—the right-wing and the left-wing—seem to be in his corner.

From The Daily Beast

The left-wing bien-pensant read it for the purpose of expressing shocked outrage, the right-wing as a source for its outrage.

From The Daily Beast

Dating back to 1883, the building was once a publishing headquarters for left-wing newspapers like L'Humanité.

From The Daily Beast

As it was he had to press Nejdi into a fast gallop before he could clear the left wing of the advancing army.

From Project Gutenberg

In the operations ending in Ulm the second corps formed part of the left wing.

From Project Gutenberg

Thereafter his division formed the left wing of the French army under Brune.

From Project Gutenberg

In 1799 he was sent to command a division of the Army of Italy, and commanded the left wing at the battle of Novi.

From Project Gutenberg

The left wing of the force will occupy the shrubbery; the right will push on and blow up the gate.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• leftist
• liberal