top definitions
quizzes
related content
examples
explore dictionary
british
cultural

republican

[ ri-puhb-li-kuh n ]

/ rɪˈpʌb lɪ kən /

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.

VIDEO FOR REPUBLICAN

WATCH NOW: 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.

MORE VIDEOS FROM DICTIONARY.COM

QUIZZES

IT’S A WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ BONANZA!

This windfall of words will make you rich with knowledge. Mine your memory on the words from July 27 to August 2!

Question 1 of 7

What does "scattergood" mean?

a person who acts as though he or she knows everything and who dismisses the opinions, comments, or suggestions of others.

a person who spends possessions or money extravagantly or wastefully; spendthrift.

a well-intentioned but naive and often ineffectual social or political reformer.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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

republic of ireland, republic of korea, republic of letters, republic of south africa, republic of yemen, republican, republican party, republican river, republicanism, republicanize, republication

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for republican

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
But a certain sweetness of the aroma of rank was beginning to permeate her republican senses.
The Duke's Children|Anthony Trollope
The Republican National Committee was in charge of men who sympathized with him.
The New Nation|Frederic L. Paxson
The speech appears in the Missouri Republican of June 18th, 1857.
History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Volume 3|Joseph Smith
In the great Republican Convention at Chicago he is a leading figure.
The Life and Public Services of James A. Garfield|Emma Elizabeth Brown
But these vices of Athens are the vices of all eminent states, monarchic or republican—for they are the vices of the powerful.
Athens: Its Rise and Fall, Complete|Edward Bulwer-Lytton

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.

Boost Your Grammar! Try Now