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social democrat

American  

noun

  1. a person who advocates a gradual transition to socialism or a modified form of socialism by and under democratic political processes.

  2. Social Democrat. (especially in Europe) a member of any of certain Social Democratic parties.


social democrat British  

noun

  1. any socialist who believes in the gradual transformation of capitalism into democratic socialism

  2. (usually capital) a member of a Social Democratic Party

"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 social democrat

First recorded in 1875–80

Compare meaning

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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:

EU social democrat lawmaker Rene Repasi, who will spearhead negotiations with European capitals on a final version of the law, has already included a raft of worker-friendly proposals in his draft report.

From Barron's Jul. 6, 2026

Reid added that she was a social democrat who believed in "freedom of expression, free trade unions and free elections" and was not any sort of "admirer or apologist for the Chinese Communist party's dictatorship".

From BBC Mar. 5, 2026

“That changed everything,” said David Brauer, a retired journalist who wrote for Minneapolis publications and who identifies as a center-left social democrat.

From Slate Nov. 3, 2025

Rutte‘s replacement after 13 years in office could be the country’s first female premier or a social democrat who left his job as the European Union‘s climate czar to return to national politics.

From Washington Times Nov. 22, 2023

He does it out of fear—fear of the social democrat.

From Thoughts out of Season Part I by Ludovici, Anthony M. (Anthony Mario)

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