party ( parties plural & 3rd person present) ( partying present participle) ( partied past tense & past participle )
1 n-count A party is a political organization whose members have similar aims and beliefs. Usually the organization tries to get its members elected to the government of a country.
...a member of the Labour party., ...India's ruling party., ...opposition parties., ...her resignation as party leader.
2 n-count A party is a social event, often in someone's home, at which people enjoy themselves doing things such as eating, drinking, dancing, talking, or playing games.
The couple met at a party..., We threw a huge birthday party..., Most teenagers like to go to parties.
3 verb If you party, you enjoy yourself doing things such as going out to parties, drinking, dancing, and talking to people.
They come to eat and drink, to swim, to party. Sometimes they never go to bed... V
4 n-count A partyof people is a group of people who are doing something together, for example travelling together.
usu with supp
They became separated from their party., ...a party of sightseers.
5 n-count One of the people involved in a legal agreement or dispute can be referred to as a particular party. (LEGAL) usu supp N
It has to be proved that they are the guilty party.
6 Someone who is a party to or is party to an action or agreement is involved in it, and therefore partly responsible for it.
be a party to sth/be party to sth phrase V inflects, PHR n Crook had resigned his post rather than be party to such treachery.
cocktail party ( cocktail parties plural ) A cocktail party is a party, usually held in the early evening, where cocktails or other alcoholic drinks are served. People often dress quite formally for them. n-count
TheConservative Party is the main right of centre party in Britain. n-proper usu the N
dinner party ( dinner parties plural ) A dinner party is a social event where a small group of people are invited to have dinner and spend the evening at someone's house. n-count
garden party ( garden parties plural ) A garden party is a formal party that is held out of doors, especially in a large private garden, during the afternoon. n-count usu sing
TheGreen Party is a political party that is particularly concerned about protecting the environment. n-proper
hen party ( hen parties plural ) A hen party is a party to which only women are invited.
house party ( house parties plural ) A house party is a party held at a big house in the country, usually at a weekend, where the guests stay for a few days. n-count
injured party ( injured parties plural ) Theinjured party in a court case or dispute about unfair treatment is the person who says they were unfairly treated. (LEGAL) n-count usu the N
The injured party got some compensation.
In Britain, the Labour Party is the main left-of-centre party. It believes that wealth and power should be shared fairly and public services should be free for everyone. n-proper the N
The Labour Party and the teaching unions condemned the idea.
Liberal Democrat Party
The Liberal Democrat Party is the third largest political party in Britain and the main centre party. It believes in improving the constitution and the voting system and in providing good welfare services. n-proper the N, N n
In Britain, the Liberal Party was a political party which believed in limited controls on industry, the providing of welfare services, and more local government and individual freedom. Liberal Party is also used to refer to similar parties in some other countries. n-proper the N, N n
party-goer ( party-goers plural ) , partygoer A party-goer is someone who likes going to parties or someone who is at a particular party. n-count
At least half the partygoers were under 15.
The party line on a particular issue is the official view taken by a political party, which its members are expected to support. n-sing
They ignored the official party line.
party piece ( party pieces plural ) Someone's party piece is something that they often do to entertain people, especially at parties, for example singing a particular song or saying a particular poem.
INFORMAL n-count oft poss N
Party political matters relate to political parties.
(BRIT) adj ADJ n
The debate is being conducted almost exclusively on party political lines.
party political broadcast ( party political broadcasts plural ) A party political broadcast is a short broadcast on radio or television made by a political party, especially before an election. It explains their views and often criticizes other political parties.
1 n-uncount Party politics is political activity involving political parties.
He thinks the Archbishop has identified himself too closely with party politics.
2 n-uncount If politicians are accused of playing party politics, they are being accused of saying or doing something in order to make their party seem good or another party seem bad, rather than for a better reason., (disapproval)
Usually when Opposition MPs question Ministers they are just playing party politics.
party pooper ( party poopers plural ) You describe someone as a party pooper when you think that they spoil other people's fun and their enjoyment of something.
I hate to be a party pooper, but I am really tired.
If you talk about someone being in the party spirit, you mean that they are in the mood to enjoy a party or to have fun. n-uncount
Sparkling wine can also put you in the party spirit.
The Republican Party is one of the two main political parties in the United States. It is more right-wing or conservative than the Democratic Party. n-proper
search party ( search parties plural ) A search party is an organized group of people who are searching for someone who is missing. n-count
slumber party ( slumber parties plural ) A slumber party is an occasion when a group of young friends spend the night together at the home of one of the group.
(mainly AM) n-count
stag party ( stag parties plural ) A stag party is the same as a stag night. n-count
tea party ( tea parties plural ) , tea-party A tea party is a social gathering in the afternoon at which tea, cakes, and sandwiches are served.
third party ( third parties plural )
1 n-count A third party is someone who is not one of the main people involved in a business agreement or legal case, but who is involved in it in a minor role.
You can instruct your bank to allow a third party to remove money from your account.
2 adj Third-party insurance is a type of insurance that pays money to people who are hurt or whose property is damaged as a result of something you have done. It does not pay you any money for damage you suffer as a result of your own actions.
Premiums for third-party cover are set to rise by up to 25 per cent.
working party ( working parties plural ) A working party is a committee which is formed to investigate a particular situation or problem and to produce a report containing its opinions and suggestions.
(mainly BRIT) n-count-coll
They set up a working party to look into the issue.
in AM, usually use working group