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• tea party
  tea party

  noun

  a social gathering, usually in the afternoon, at which tea and light refreshments are served.
• Tea Party
  Tea Party

  noun

  (in the US) a political movement, associated with the right wing of the Republican Party, favouring reduction in taxation and government spending

tea party

American  

noun

1. a social gathering, usually in the afternoon, at which tea and light refreshments are served.

2. (initial capital letters) a conservative political movement in the U.S. that opposes taxes and government spending: named in reference to the Boston Tea Party of 1773.

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Tea Party ¹ British  

noun

1. (in the US) a political movement, associated with the right wing of the Republican Party, favouring reduction in taxation and government spending

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tea party ² British  

noun

1. a social gathering in the afternoon at which tea is served

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Etymology

Origin of tea party

First recorded in 1770–80

Example Sentences

Later that evening, Charles was mobbed by hundreds of well-wishers at a tea party held at the British Embassy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

BOSTON—The home of a famous 1773 tea party is revolting again, this time over coffee.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

Once the press gets wind that Mary’s marriage has ended, the gossip is relentless, and the one-time belle of the ball can’t rustle up so much as a small tea party.

From Salon • Sep. 14, 2025

During celebrations to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, Prince George met veterans at a tea party in Buckingham Palace, hearing their first-hand stories.

From BBC • Jul. 22, 2025

“The great...no, the enormous...no, the titanic pleasure of your presence is requested at my tea party, to be held Tuesday next.”

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood