tea party
noun
1
: an afternoon social gathering at which tea is served
2
[from the Boston Tea Party, name applied to the occasion in 1773 when a shipment of tea was thrown into Boston harbor in protest against the tax on imports]
: an exciting disturbance or proceeding
3
usually Tea Party
: a 21st century U.S. political movement in favor of lower taxes, fewer government regulations and programs, strict immigration control, and a strong military
"Tea Party" has become something of a catch-all term to describe an impassioned and empowered group of populist conservatives. They are largely antigovernment, a lot of them are self-described libertarians, and many say they are new to political activism. It is easy to think of them as a singular entity and a growing one.—
Mark Leibovich
Mark LeibovichConservative activists started holding "Tea Party" protests in 2009 to vent outrage over federal stimulus spending, the Wall Street bailout and rising national debt. The movement quickly had an electoral impact, culminating in the 2010 midterm elections when the GOP captured the House.—Martha T. Moore
Martha T. MooreExamples of tea party in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
To borrow from my favorite Wonderland philosopher of the afternoon tea party, the Mad Hatter might contend that a Maybach is all about the muchness, of being so very much more than anyone considered possible.
—Mark Ewing, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2024
Cordoba used those skills to help her grandfather prepare for the Olympics in Paris by learning a few words during a tea party in April 2024.
—Emy Lacroix, Peoplemag, 30 July 2024
For a late-evening tea party, try adding candlesticks with tapered candles to add height to the table presentation.
—Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 July 2024
The tea party movement helped Republicans seize control of the U.S. House and state legislatures across the country in 2010.
—Dan Morain, The Mercury News, 1 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tea party 
Mark Ewing, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2024
Cordoba used those skills to help her grandfather prepare for the Olympics in Paris by learning a few words during a tea party in April 2024.
—Emy Lacroix, Peoplemag, 30 July 2024
For a late-evening tea party, try adding candlesticks with tapered candles to add height to the table presentation.
—Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 July 2024
The tea party movement helped Republicans seize control of the U.S. House and state legislatures across the country in 2010.
—Dan Morain, The Mercury News, 1 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tea party
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tea party.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Tea party.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tea%20party. Accessed 17 Sep. 2024.
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