major party

noun

1. a political party with enough electoral strength to periodically gain control of the government or to effectively oppose the party in power.

Word History and Origins

Origin of major party¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

This campaign was especially fraught with President Joe Biden belatedly realizing that he wasn't capable of campaigning, and the party taking the risk of running a woman and person of color against one of the most racist, misogynist demagogues ever to run on a major party ticket.

From Salon

Vice President Kamala Harris, the first Californian to lead a major party’s presidential ticket in decades, will almost certainly win the state.

From Los Angeles Times

Former President Trump had survived an assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania rally, President Biden had dropped out of the race, and Democratic party officials had nominated Vice President Kamala Harris to run in Biden’s place as the first woman of color to ever top a major party ticket.

From Los Angeles Times

Pollsters and political observers are watching closely for trends among different demographics of voters, including by race in an election where racism has been featured prominently and where a Black woman tops a major party ticket for the first time.

From Los Angeles Times

She made history as the first black and Asian-American woman to lead a major party's presidential ticket, and went on to give a speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois.

From BBC