democratic
Americanadjective
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pertaining to or of the nature of democracy or a democracy.
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pertaining to or characterized by the principle of political or social equality for all.
democratic treatment.
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advocating or upholding democracy.
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(initial capital letter)
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of, relating to, or characteristic of the Democratic Party.
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of, relating to, or belonging to the Democratic-Republican Party.
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adjective
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of, characterized by, derived from, or relating to the principles of democracy
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upholding or favouring democracy or the interests of the common people
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popular with or for the benefit of all
democratic sports
Usage
What does democratic mean? The adjective democratic is used to describe something that operates under or or resembles democracy, a form of government in which the citizens hold the power. Usually, the word democratic is used to describe political systems, governments, or countries that use such systems. It can also be used to describe voting systems, philosophies, or strategies that rely on a majority vote or that allow everyone to give their opinion. When capitalized, Democratic is used in the name of the Democratic Party, one of the major political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. Example: The United States of America practices a democratic form of government where citizens vote on issues and elect politicians by majority vote.
Other Word Forms
- antidemocratic adjective
- antidemocratical adjective
- antidemocratically adverb
- democratically adverb
- half-democratic adjective
- hyperdemocratic adjective
- nondemocratic adjective
- nondemocratical adjective
- nondemocratically adverb
- predemocratic adjective
- prodemocratic adjective
- pseudo-Democratic adjective
- pseudodemocratic adjective
- pseudodemocratically adverb
- quasi-democratic adjective
- quasi-democratically adverb
- superdemocratic adjective
- superdemocratically adverb
- undemocratic adjective
- undemocratically adverb
Etymology
Origin of democratic
1595–1605; < French démocratique or Medieval Latin dēmocraticus, both < Greek dēmokratikós, equivalent to dēmokrat ( ía ) ( see democracy) + -ikos -ic
Explanation
Things that are democratic are ruled by the people, for the people. A basic democratic process involves letting everyone vote on what they think is best for the whole group. Democratic government started thousands of years ago in ancient Greece, but it's still catching on all over the world. A dictatorship or monarchy is ruled by one person, but in a democratic society, or a democracy, the people rule. Even though there is a leader — a President in the United States — he or she is elected by the people. Anything that allows people more say in the government is democratic.
Vocabulary lists containing democratic
Africa - Introductory
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Canada - Introductory
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Eastern Europe - Introductory
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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.
The more important lesson is that democratic institutions can be weakened without being entirely dismantled—and that recognizing this distinction is essential if such systems are to be strengthened.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026
But that’s not convincing either, and only partly because Carney, a former governor of the Bank of England, is a deeply strange choice as leader of the global democratic resistance.
From Salon • Apr. 19, 2026
"He's someone who represents hope for unity, for democratic renewal, for a better future for the Palestinian people," he said.
From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026
Each has been at the very epicenter of democratic attempts to access the constitutional tools demanded by this moment.
From Slate • Apr. 11, 2026
"This is a democratic c-company. Let us p-put the matter to a vote. All who favor t-taking on—What is your name, my young friend?"
From "The Shakespeare Stealer" by Gary L. Blackwood
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
