First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1party
noun par·ty \ˈpär-tē\
: a social event in which entertainment, food, and drinks are provided
: an organization of people who have similar political beliefs and ideas and who work to have their members elected to positions in the government
law : a person who is involved in a legal case or contract
plural parties
Full Definition of PARTY
1
: a person or group taking one side of a question, dispute, or contest
2
: a group of persons organized for the purpose of directing the policies of a government
3
: a person or group participating in an action or affair <a mountain-climbing party> <a party to the transaction>
4
: a particular individual : person <an old party approaching 80>
5
: a detail of soldiers
6
: a social gathering; also : the entertainment provided for it
— party adjective
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Origin of PARTY
Middle English partie part, party, from Anglo-French, from partir to divide — more at part
Related to PARTY
2party
verb
: to have a party or be involved in a party : to spend enjoyable time eating, drinking, dancing, etc., with a group of people
par·tiedpar·ty·ing
Full Definition of PARTY
intransitive verb
See party defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of PARTY
1919
PARTY Defined for Kids
party
noun par·ty \ˈpär-tē\
plural par·ties
Definition of PARTY for Kids
1
: a social gathering or the entertainment provided for it
2
: a person or group concerned in some action <He's a party to the lawsuit.> <A search party was formed.>
3
: a group of people who take one side of a question or share a set of beliefs <a political party>
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