Topic: GROUPINGS
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| Date: | 1200-1300 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | partie 'part, party', from partir 'to divide' |
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par‧ty1 S1 W1
plural parties [countable]
plural parties [countable]1 a social event when a lot of people meet together to enjoy themselves by eating, drinking, dancing etc :
for fun
DL throw/give a party The university threw a party to welcome them. She's giving a small informal party this evening.
The university threw a party to welcome them.She's giving a small informal party this evening. tea/costume/Halloween etc party (=a particular type of party) a dinner party at a chic New York restaurant
a dinner party at a chic New York restaurant2 a political organization with particular beliefs and aims, which you can vote for in elections : The conference is open to all party members. the party leader There were many people in the ruling party (=the party in power) who were unhappy with his policies. The new regulations have been attacked by opposition parties (=parties who are not in power and oppose the government).
in politics
PPG [also + plural verb British English] the Labour/Communist/Democratic etc Party She was greeted by a large crowd of Labour Party supporters.
She was greeted by a large crowd of Labour Party supporters.The conference is open to all party members.the party leaderThere were many people in the ruling party (=the party in power) who were unhappy with his policies.The new regulations have been attacked by opposition parties (=parties who are not in power and oppose the government).3 a group of people who go somewhere together or do a job together There were several students in our party.
group of people
[also + plural verb British English]There were several students in our party.4 one of the people or groups who are involved in a legal argument or agreement : helping the two parties to reach an agreement ➔ third party1
in an argument/law
SCL law or formalhelping the two parties to reach an agreement5 to be involved in an activity or decision : I was not a party to this discussion.
be (a) party to something
formalI was not a party to this discussion.