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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.


two-party system British  

noun

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

"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 two-party system

First recorded in 1900–05

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.

“Wrapped into this is things like generational difference, and what young people want to see represented in our politics, especially young people who feel really disillusioned with our two-party system.”

From Salon

“Wrapped into this is things like generational difference, and what young people want to see represented in our politics, especially young people who feel really disillusioned with our two-party system.”

From Salon

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

From MarketWatch

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

“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