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republican

[ ri-puhb-li-kuhn ]

/ rɪˈpʌb lɪ kən /

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See synonyms for republican on Thesaurus.com

adjective

of, relating to, or of the nature of a republic.

favoring a republic.

fitting or appropriate for the citizen of a republic: a very republican notion.

(initial capital letter) of or relating to the Republican Party.

noun

a person who favors a republican form of government.

(initial capital letter) a member of the Republican Party.

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What Is The Origin Of The Republican Party?

And although today’s Republican Party–also known as the Grand Old Party, or the GOP—is the party of conservatism and small government, their beginnings might surprise you.

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Origin of republican

First recorded in 1685–95, republican is from the French word républicain, Middle French. See republic, -an

OTHER WORDS FROM republican

an·ti·re·pub·li·can, adjective, nounhalf-re·pub·li·can, adjectivenon·re·pub·li·can, adjective, nounpre·re·pub·li·can, adjective

pro·re·pub·li·can, adjective, nounpseu·do·re·pub·li·can, adjectivesem·i·re·pub·li·can, adjective, nounun·re·pub·li·can, adjective

Words nearby republican

reptilian, reptilium, Repton, Repub., republic, republican, republicanism, republicanize, Republican Party, Republican River, republication

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use republican in a sentence

Two Republican lead states, Montana and South Carolina, have canceled federal unemployment benefits in the last week, blaming them for hampering the return to work.
Economy picked up just 266,000 jobs in April, well below expectations as economy struggles to rebound|Eli Rosenberg|May 7, 2021|Washington Post
The debate was the second of four planned by the Democratic Party of Virginia, and the only one set for the far Southwest region of the state, which is generally a Republican stronghold.
Virginia Democratic candidates for governor clash over style more than substance in second debate|Gregory S. Schneider|May 7, 2021|Washington Post
Republican optimism about the recall has focused less on what's happening than on what could, with months left for Newsom to make blunders or look outmatched by the state's fire season.
The Trailer: California Republicans lose the bear – and some momentum for the Gavin Newsom recall election|David Weigel|May 6, 2021|Washington Post
Stefanik presumably understands these crucial distinctions and could help bring these voters’ views into Republican councils, where they are often excluded.
Elise Stefanik could be just what the GOP needs|Henry Olsen|May 6, 2021|Washington Post

A Republican being interviewed by “Fox & Friends” tends to have all of the probing tension of a grandmother asking her grandson what he wants for Christmas.
DeSantis enacts voting restrictions touted by Fox News with only Fox News in the room|Philip Bump|May 6, 2021|Washington Post
Like many Americans—but few Republican presidential candidates—the former Florida governor has evolved on the issue.
Jeb Bush’s Unseen Anti-Gay Marriage Emails|Jackie Kucinich|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Except the Braves did not win 14 straight pennants (they did win 14 straight division titles), and Smoltz is a also Republican.
Conservative Curt Says His Politics, Not His Pitching, Kept Him Out of the Hall of Fame|Ben Jacobs|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
In 1992, Republican George H.W. Bush won the Asian-American vote by 24 points.
Asian-Americans Are The New Florida|Tim Mak|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Neither the Republican nor the Democratic party have done anything to consistently target Asian- American voters.
Asian-Americans Are The New Florida|Tim Mak|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But Republican and Democratic parties have made efforts to reverse that trend.
Asian-Americans Are The New Florida|Tim Mak|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
And this went on during the whole of the time this country was blessed with Cromwell and a Republican Government.
Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham|Thomas T. Harman and Walter Showell
His sympathies were essentially democratic; himself one of the people, he believed thoroughly in republican ideas.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison
In his own opinion no better agent could have been found in the rle of a stern, unbending republican and fiery Jacobin.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison
The king hoped, by the appointment of a Republican ministry, to pacify the democratic spirit.
Madame Roland, Makers of History|John S. C. Abbott
She comprehended at a glance his herculean abilities, and the important aid he could render the Republican cause.
Madame Roland, Makers of History|John S. C. Abbott

British Dictionary definitions for republican (1 of 2)

republican

/ (rɪˈpʌblɪkən) /

adjective

of, resembling, or relating to a republic

supporting or advocating a republic

noun

a supporter or advocate of a republic

British Dictionary definitions for republican (2 of 2)

Republican

/ (rɪˈpʌblɪkən) /

adjective

of, belonging to, or relating to a Republican Party

of, belonging to, or relating to the Irish Republican Army

noun

a member or supporter of a Republican Party

a member or supporter of the Irish Republican Army

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

Cultural definitions for republican

Republican

A member of the Republican party.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.