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
Spring tea party: For the next few Fridays, La Valencia Hotel is hosting its annual spring tea event.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2025
This is an adult tea party, mind you, with beautiful china, teapots and tasting cups from French porcelain makers.
—Yvette Walker, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2025
When Meghan and Mindy Kaling prepare food for a children’s tea party to which no children actually show up, the finger sandwiches look less like high-tea offerings and more like the scraps in the duchess’s chicken coop.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 19 Mar. 2025
Through Sunday November 3, guests can immerse themselves in a Broadway inspired tea party beneath The Palm Court’s shimmering Emerald Green dome.
—Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for tea party
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Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2025
This is an adult tea party, mind you, with beautiful china, teapots and tasting cups from French porcelain makers.
—Yvette Walker, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2025
When Meghan and Mindy Kaling prepare food for a children’s tea party to which no children actually show up, the finger sandwiches look less like high-tea offerings and more like the scraps in the duchess’s chicken coop.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 19 Mar. 2025
Through Sunday November 3, guests can immerse themselves in a Broadway inspired tea party beneath The Palm Court’s shimmering Emerald Green dome.
—Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for tea party
Cite this Entry
“Tea party.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tea%20party. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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