tea party

noun

1. a social gathering, usually in the afternoon, at which tea and light refreshments are served.
2. (initial capital letters) a conservative political movement in the U.S. that opposes taxes and government spending: named in reference to the Boston Tea Party of 1773.

Tea Party

¹

noun

1. (in the US) a political movement, associated with the right wing of the Republican Party, favouring reduction in taxation and government spending

tea party

²

noun

1. a social gathering in the afternoon at which tea is served

Word History and Origins

Origin of tea party¹

First recorded in 1770–80

Word History and Origins

Origin of tea party¹

C21: after the Boston Tea Party

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, Isaac wants to set the record straight that “I was never at the Boston Tea Party. I was in Boston at a tea party, but it was at my Aunt Geraldine’s house.”

From Los Angeles Times

Her collection of animals could outnumber her children and included a wandering armadillo that broke up tea parties and a pet hawk that once landed on the wig of a politician’s wife.

From Los Angeles Times

One analogue for this is the tea party movement.

From Los Angeles Times

They organised a tea party on the August bank holiday and invited the congregation.

From BBC

Some of the newer arrivals like Steve Biggers, a transplant from Nashville and a tea party member, brought a brasher style of politics.

From Los Angeles Times