two-party system

[ too-pahr-tee ]

noun

, Government.

1. a political system consisting chiefly of two major parties, more or less equal in strength.

two-party system

noun

1. a condition or system in which two major parties dominate a political unit

Word History and Origins

Origin of two-party system¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

If you look into your heart, you know deep down that predatory capitalism has us all sick and has enabled a war and prison industry, that our society is configured in ways that divide and alienate us from what is our best nature, that the two-party system entrenches power.

From Salon

Although America’s two-party system is pretty much baked in, we should not assume it’s entirely static: I recently wrote a historical essay that partly concerned the World War I-era demise of Britain’s center-left Liberal Party, which was destabilized and ultimately destroyed after its collision with a homegrown authoritarian movement.

From Salon

I’m casting my vote for Harris with far less hand-wringing than I would have for Biden, though given the state of our two-party system, I would have voted for him, too, even after voting uncommitted in the primary in protest of the war in Gaza and in solidarity with Palestinians.

From Slate

Asked about his own politics, he said he doesn’t quite identify with either side of the two-party system.

From Slate

Similarly, because both politicians are pandering to constituencies within the paradigm of America's two-party system, each ultimately reinforces the social and economic status quo while proposing reforms to benefit specific interest groups.

From Salon