shadow cabinet

American

noun

(in the British Parliament) a group of prominent members of the opposition who are expected to hold positions in the cabinet when their party assumes power.

Etymology

Origin of shadow cabinet

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

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shadow cabinet

A self-described "proper working-class" woman, Rayner rose quickly in Westminster, taking up the women and equalities and education briefs in the shadow cabinet of former Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn.

From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026

He served in Corbyn's shadow cabinet, as shadow home secretary, despite being seen as on the Blairite centre-right of the party.

From BBC ● Jun. 22, 2026

She had been shadow health secretary under Jeremy Corbyn but quit the role in 2016 describing the shadow cabinet as “entirely dysfunctional”.

From BBC ● Jun. 22, 2026

In 2015, she was elected in the Greater Manchester constituency of Ashton-under-Lyne and rose quickly in Westminster, serving in Jeremy Corbyn's shadow cabinet.

From BBC ● May 12, 2026

Reform's successes also included taking Essex County Council, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch's local authority and an area where six Tory shadow cabinet members are MPs.

From BBC ● May 9, 2026

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023