major party

American  

noun

1. a political party with enough electoral strength to periodically gain control of the government or to effectively oppose the party in power.

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Etymology

Origin of major party

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

The dictator opened a major party congress with a weapons display and a declaration of optimism.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

“It is symbolic and important that it’s something that no serious presidential candidate with a major party who got the nomination has been saying before,” Bender said in a phone interview.

From Salon • Oct. 18, 2024

Nevada’s elasticity in presidential politics is partly due to the large share of voters — 34% — who don’t identify with either major party.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 13, 2024

The interview answers weeks of questions concerning where and when Ms Harris would conduct an in-depth, substantive discussion of her candidacy and agenda - standard procedure for all major party presidential candidates.

From BBC • Aug. 28, 2024

Or casting a vote for the first female presidential candidate of a major party.

From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi