left wing

noun

plural left wings

1

: the leftist division of a group (such as a political party) : the segment of a group (such as a political party) that calls for greater adherence to liberalism (see liberalism sense 2a) or progressivism (see progressivism sense 1)

the left wing of the Democratic Party

2

: political parties and individuals who support or promote political liberalism or progressivism

sometimes, specifically : such parties and individuals who are deeply opposed to capitalism

left-wing

ˈleft-ˈwiŋ 

adjective

left-wing politics

left-winger

ˈleft-ˈwiŋ-ər 

noun

plural left-wingers

the party's left-wingers

Synonyms

• left
• leftism
• liberalism

Examples of left wing in a Sentence

His nomination is supported by the party's left wing but opposed by the right wing.

the left wing has lost considerable influence in the party, which is now aggressively courting political moderates

Recent Examples on the Web

That’s where the manager has to make a choice between his Betis starter Gavi, Fermin Lopez and maybe even Ferran Torres if Raphinha is pushed into the berth instead and frees up a spot on the left wing. —Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025

Tyler Adams found Tim Weah on the left wing, and Weah took on his defender well before finding Luna in the box. —Joshua Kloke, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025

Indeed, the Danish international has given Manchester United a different dimension down the left wing, making the position his own over the last few matches. —Graham Ruthven, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025

His last was a step back from the left wing that put the Cardinals up 42-37 headed into the fourth quarter. —Devin Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1844, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for left wing

• bowstring
• coiling
• downswing
• drawstring
• forewing
• hamstring
• lapwing
• mainspring
• offspring
• plaything
• shoestring
• texting