party

[ pahr-tee ]

noun

plural parties.

1. a social gathering, as of invited guests at a private home, for conversation, refreshments, entertainment, etc.:

   a cocktail party.

   Synonyms: assemblage, meeting

2. a group gathered for a special purpose or task:

   a fishing party; a search party.

3. a detachment, squad, or detail of troops assigned to perform some particular mission or service.
4. a group of persons with common purposes or opinions who support one side of a dispute, question, debate, etc.

   Synonyms: ring, coterie, circle, faction

5. a group of persons with common political opinions and purposes organized for gaining political influence and governmental control and for directing government policy:

   the Republican Party; the Democratic Party.

6. the system of taking sides on public or political questions or the like.
7. attachment or devotion to one side or faction; partisanship:

   to put considerations of party first.

8. Law.
   1. one of the litigants in a legal proceeding; a plaintiff or defendant in a suit.
   2. a signatory to a legal instrument.
   3. a person participating in or otherwise privy to a crime.
9. a person or group that participates in some action, affair, plan, etc.; participant:

   He was a party to the merger deal.

10. the person under consideration; a specific individual:

    The package was delivered to the wrong party.

11. a person or, usually, two or more persons together patronizing a restaurant, attending a social or cultural function, etc.:

    The headwaiter asked how many were in our party; a party of 12 French physicists touring the labs; a party of one at the small table.

12. a person participating in a telephone conversation:

    I have your party on the line.

13. any occasion or activity likened to a social party, as specified; session:

    The couple in the next apartment are having their usual dish-throwing party.

14. something lively, stimulating, or bustling: That plastic water bottle is a germ party.

    It’s so delicious, it’s like a party in your mouth.

    That plastic water bottle is a germ party.

15. an advantageous or pleasurable situation or combination of circumstances of some duration and often of questionable character; period of content, license, exemption, etc.:

    The police broke in and suddenly the party was over for the nation's most notorious gunman.

adjective

1. of or relating to a party or faction; partisan:

   party leaders.

2. of or for a social gathering:

   her new party dress.

3. being shared by or pertaining to two or more persons or things.
4. Heraldry. (of an escutcheon) having the field divided into a number of parts, usually two; parted.

verb (used without object)

Informal.

partied, partying.

1. to go to or give parties, especially a series of parties.
2. to enjoy oneself thoroughly and without restraint; indulge in pleasure.

party

/ ˈpɑːtɪ /

noun

1. 1. a social gathering for pleasure, often held as a celebration
   2. ( as modifier )

      party spirit

   3. ( in combination )

      partygoer

2. a group of people associated in some activity

   a rescue party

3. 1. often capital a group of people organized together to further a common political aim, such as the election of its candidates to public office
   2. ( as modifier )

      party politics

4. the practice of taking sides on public issues
5. a person, esp one who participates in some activity such as entering into a contract
6. the person or persons taking part in legal proceedings, such as plaintiff or prosecutor

   a party to the action

7. informal.
   a person

   he's an odd old party

8. come to the party
   to take part or become involved

verb

1. informal.
   to celebrate; revel

adjective

1. heraldry (of a shield) divided vertically into two colours, metals, or furs

Usage Note

Party meaning “a specific individual” is old in the language, going back to the 15th century, and was formerly in common use. Today, it remains standard in limited senses, chiefly the legal, and is often used humorously or condescendingly: the party holding the balloon. The word person is the neutral and common term.

Other Word Forms

• par·ty·less adjective
• in·ter·par·ty adjective
• non·par·ty adjective noun plural nonparties
• sub·par·ty noun plural subparties

Word History and Origins

Origin of party¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English partie, paarty, from Old French, noun use of feminine of parti, past participle of partir “to divide, separate, go away,” from Latin partīre “to share, divide”; part

Word History and Origins

Origin of party¹

C13: from Old French partie part, faction, from Latin partīre to divide; see part

Idioms and Phrases

• life of the party

Synonym Study

See company.

Example Sentences

Not the delicate meringues or the aggressively frosted cupcakes of childhood birthday parties, but the muscular, memory-laced ones.

From Salon

“Back to the Future: Destination Hill Valley” will utilize Universal’s filming locations to create a festive feel, one that will feature a dance party and multiple actors for attendees to follow through branching storylines.

From Los Angeles Times

In recent years it is a question that has caused political punch-ups, party splits and despatch box spats.

From BBC

The party has now directed its elected representatives to avoid providing character references where allegations of violence or sexual crimes are involved.

From BBC

Lester: You knew when the “7 to 7” was coming, it was going to be a party for us — the teenagers.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• association
• bloc
• body
• faction
• side
• union