two-party system

American  

[too-pahr-tee] / ˈtuˌpɑr ti /

noun

Government.

1. a political system consisting chiefly of two major parties, more or less equal in strength.

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two-party system British  

noun

1. a condition or system in which two major parties dominate a political unit

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Etymology

Origin of two-party system

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

two-party system

The more significant result was what many analysts believe is the impending crack-up of Britain’s two-party system.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 12, 2026

Since the Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence, a two-party system emerged with the Federalists and Democratic-Republicans.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 5, 2025

Although he did not defeat Irfaan Ali, who was reelected president, Azruddin caused a major surprise in the South American nation's traditional two-party system by finishing second, surpassing former opposition leader Aubrey Norton.

From Barron's ● Nov. 1, 2025

“South Korea is very much locked into a two-party system where it is generally rare to see a third party candidate make much of a difference,” Kim, the political scientist, said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 3, 2025

Does this utterance of a great Conservative leader indicate any belief that the two-party system is the final and unchangeable expression of national feeling.

From Proportional Representation A Study in Methods of Election by Humphreys, John H.