party line

noun

1
: the policy or practice of a political party
2
: a single telephone circuit connecting two or more subscribers with the exchange

called also party wire

3
: the principles or policies of an individual or organization
also : the explanation or interpretation usually put forth
the party line that her mother was a saint Leslie Bennetts
party-liner noun

Examples of party line in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Other sentiment surveys, including the University of Michigan's surveys of consumers, have also improved in the aftermath of the Nov. 5 election, though along party lines. Lucia Mutikani, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024 The vote on the second measure, which included language about preserving the records but also demanded their release, was 204 to 198, also almost all along party lines. Annie Karni, New York Times, 6 Dec. 2024 Divided almost entirely along party lines, the chamber voted on Thursday 206-198 to shoot down Casten’s proposal — but that doesn’t mean the Gaetz report will never be seen. Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 5 Dec. 2024 But the Central Valley is more purple than the deep-blue districts that surround the Bay Area and Los Angeles, and conservative Democrats in the area often cross party lines to elect Republicans. Laura J. Nelson, Los Angeles Times, 4 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for party line 

Word History

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of party line was in 1837

Dictionary Entries Near party line

Cite this Entry

“Party line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/party%20line. Accessed 24 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on party line

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!