party politics

American

noun

(usually used with a singular verb)

politics based on strict adherence to the policies and principles of a political party regardless of the public interest; partisan loyalism.

party politics British

plural noun

politics conducted through, by, or for parties, as opposed to other interests or the public good

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of party politics

First recorded in 1765–75

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

party politics

Internal campaign giving reflects the structure of party politics in the House.

From Salon ● Jul. 5, 2026

My hope for this country: My hope for the future of the country is unity, kind of growing beyond party politics and seeing what makes us so great as America.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 2, 2026

In an interview, Pelosi insisted the new institute wouldn’t be aligned with party politics.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 29, 2026

Defeat "will pose enormous problems for the party," politics expert Laura McAllister of Cardiff University told AFP.

From Barron's ● May 4, 2026

For the sinuosities and compromises of party politics, however wise and necessary at times, he had no aptitude.

From Victor Hugo: His Life and Works by Smith, G. Barnett

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023