- 1 (also Party) [countable + singular or plural verb] a political organization that you can vote for in elections and whose members have the same aims and ideas the Democratic and Republican Parties in the United States She belongs to the Labour Party. the ruling/opposition party the party leader/manifesto/policy CollocationsPoliticsPower create/form/be the leader of a political party gain/take/win/lose/regain control of Congress start/spark/lead/be on the brink of a revolution be engaged/locked in an internal power struggle lead/form a rival/breakaway faction seize/take control of the government/power bring down/overthrow/topple the government/president/regime abolish/overthrow/restore the monarchy establish/install a military dictatorship/a stable government be forced/removed/driven from office/power resign/step down as party leader/an MP/president/prime minister enter/retire from/return to political lifePolitical debate spark/provoke a heated/hot/intense/lively debate engage in/participate in/contribute to (the) political/public debate (on/over something) get involved in/feel excluded from the political process launch/start/lead/spearhead a campaign/movement join/be linked with the peace/anti-war/feminist/civil rights movement criticize/speak out against/challenge/support the government lobby/put pressure on the government (to do something) come under fire/pressure from opposition partiesPolicy call for/demand/propose/push for/advocate democratic/political/land reform(s) formulate/implement domestic economic policy change/influence/shape/have an impact on government/economic/public policy be consistent with/be in line with/go against/be opposed to government policy reform/restructure/modernize the tax system privatize/improve/deliver/make cuts in public services invest (heavily) in/spend something on schools/education/public services/(the) infrastructure nationalize the banks/the oil industry promise/propose/deliver/give ($80 billion in/significant/substantial/massive) tax cuts a/the budget is approved/ (especially North American English) passed by parliament/congressMaking laws have a majority in/have seats in Parliament/Congress/the Senate propose/sponsor a bill/legislation/a resolution introduce/bring in/draw up/draft/adopt/pass a bill/a law/legislation/measures amend/repeal an act/a law/legislation veto/vote against/oppose a bill/legislation/a measure/a proposal/a resolution get/require/be decided by a majority vote economy, vote Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivepolitical, centre/center, centre-right/center-right, … verb + partybuild, establish, form, … party + verbcome to power, gain power, win (something), … party + nounconference, congress, convention, … phrasesthe leader of a/the (…) party, a member of a/the (…) party, the left wing of the party, … See full entry
- 2 [countable] (especially in compounds) a social occasion, often in a person’s home, at which people eat, drink, talk, dance and enjoy themselves a birthday/dinner/garden, etc. party to give/have/throw a party Did you go to the party? party games see also block party, hen party, house party, stag party, street party Wordfindercelebrateanniversary, birthday, celebrate, commemorate, festivity, jubilee, occasion, parade, party, reception Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivesurprise, impromptu, lavish, … verb + partygive, have, hold, … party + verbgo on, be in full swing, break up, … party + nounguest, girl prepositionat a/the party, party for See full entry
- 3 [countable + singular or plural verb] a group of people who are doing something together such as travelling or visiting somewhere The school is taking a party of 40 children to France. The theatre gives a 10% discount to parties of more than ten. see also search party, working party Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectiveboarding, hunting, landing, … prepositionparty of See full entry
- 4[countable] (formal) one of the people or groups of people involved in a legal agreement or argument the guilty/innocent party The contract can be terminated by either party with three months' notice. The judge’s decision satisfied most of the parties concerned. see also injured party, third party Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectiveguilty, innocent, aggrieved, … verb + partynotify, be binding on, bind, … See full entry Word OriginMiddle English (denoting a body of people united in opposition to others, also in sense (1)): from Old French partie, based on Latin partiri ‘divide into parts’. Sense (2) dates from the early 18th cent.Extra examples By now the party was in full swing. First we must notify all the interested parties. From 1991 new political parties emerged to challenge the governing party. Ed Miliband’s speech at the Labour party conference He loves throwing lavish parties. He was accused of having strong links with the Communist Party. I was at a party in London that night. I’m organizing a surprise party for my sister. It was time for us to join the coach party. Most MPs will follow the party line. Mr Cameron was cheered by the party faithful. On moving in they threw a huge house-warming party. She arrived with a party of helpers. She became the leader of the party in 2008. She is a hard-drinking, non-stop party girl. She left the party in 2000. She refused to follow the party line= the official view of the party. She turned up at her fiancé’s bachelor party. The Labour Party was returned to power in 2001. The Labour party lost the vote on this important issue. The Liberal party controlled the Senate at this time. The captain told the crew to prepare to receive a boarding party. The girls were having a slumber party. The party broke up around midnight. The party was officially dissolved in 1927. The wedding party climbed into the carriages. There was a party going on next door. They are now the majority party in Parliament. They attended the launch party for the new film. This agreement binds both parties. This agreement is binding on both parties. This agreement shall be binding upon both parties. We had a farewell party for Michelle when she left the company. You must sign the document in the presence of an independent third party a bitter dispute which finally split the party a surprise birthday party both main political parties members of the parliamentary party policies that would be out of place in the Republican party platform the majority party in both Houses the parties contesting the elections A rescue party immediately set off by boat. Did you go to their party? He gave a dinner party for some old friends. It was decided to send out a search party to look for the missing climbers. Several members of the England cricket touring party were robbed outside the team hotel. The theatre gives a 10% discount to parties of more than 10. There were fizzy drinks, cake and party games. They threw a party to celebrate the end of term. We’re going to have a housewarming party next weekend. a coach party of German tourists the party leader/manifesto/policy the ruling/opposition partyIdioms
(formal) to be involved in an agreement or action to be party to a decision He refused to be a party to any violence.
to contribute something useful to a discussion, project, etc. What Hislop brought to the party was real commitment and energy.
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