caucus

[ kaw-kuhs ]

noun

, plural cau·cus·es.

1. U.S. Politics.
   1. a local meeting of party members to select candidates, elect convention delegates, etc.
   2. a meeting of party members within a legislative body to select leaders and determine strategy.
   3. Often Caucus. a faction within a legislative body that pursues its interests through the legislative process:

      the Women's Caucus; the Black Caucus.

2. any group or meeting organized to further a special interest or cause.

verb (used without object)

1. to hold or meet in a caucus.

verb (used with object)

1. to bring up or hold for discussion in a caucus:

   The subject was caucused.

2. to bring together or poll in a caucus:

   The paper caucused its new editorial board on Friday.

   The chairman caucused the water pollution committee before making recommendations.

caucus

/ ˈkɔːkəs /

noun

1. 1. a closed meeting of the members of one party in a legislative chamber, etc, to coordinate policy, choose candidates, etc
   2. such a bloc of politicians

      the Democratic caucus in Congress

2. 1. a group of leading politicians of one party
   2. a meeting of such a group
3. a local meeting of party members
4. a group or faction within a larger group, esp a political party, who discuss tactics, choose candidates, etc
5. a group of MPs from one party who meet to discuss tactics, etc
6. a formal meeting of all Members of Parliament belonging to one political party

verb

1. intr to hold a caucus

caucus

1. A meeting of members of a political party to nominate candidates, choose convention delegates, plan campaign tactics, determine party policy, or select leaders for a legislature.

Word History and Origins

Origin of caucus¹

An Americanism dating back to 1755–65; apparently first used in the name of the Caucus Club of colonial Boston; further origin uncertain; perhaps from Medieval Latin caucus “drinking vessel,” Late Latin caucum, from Greek kaûkos; perhaps from Virginia Algonquian Cawcawwassough “elders of the Chickahominy people”

Word History and Origins

Origin of caucus¹

C18: probably of Algonquian origin; related to caucauasu adviser

Example Sentences

Leaders from both major parties still have to negotiate how many senators from their caucuses will serve on each committee, and decide leadership roles for senior senators.

From Los Angeles Times

No doubt that reaction would tickle Trump, who shuns coalition-building out of the belief that arm-twisting is a superior way to control his caucus.

From Salon

She captured the nomination by default — without ever having won a single vote in a caucus or primary.

From Los Angeles Times

He won 98 of the state’s 99 counties, the strongest showing by a GOP candidate in almost half a century of Republican caucuses.

From Los Angeles Times

Democrats currently control 51 seats of the 100-member Senate because the three independents in the body caucus with Democrats.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• convention
• gathering
• meeting
• session