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

Conservative 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

Examples of tea party in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Fast forward past the whole tea party thing that helped launch America’s revolution and eventually, loose leaf tea gave way to bags. —Leslie Kelly, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024

And because a cup of tea is always better with snacks, make a batch of scones or these strawberry cheesecake bites to keep the tea party theme going. —Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Sep. 2024

Some of the newer arrivals like Steve Biggers, a transplant from Nashville and a tea party member, brought a brasher style of politics. —Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2024

Shannon celebrated her 60th birthday on the Oct. 3 episode of The Real Housewives of Orange County, and absent (as expected) from the tea party was Alexis. —Liza Esquibias, People.com, 4 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1778, in the meaning defined at sense 1