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

The table and chairs have served as everything from a platform for coloring to making Legos to serving up delicious pretend feasts and tea parties. —Chaunie Brusie, Rn, Parents, 23 Dec. 2024

Seniors can participate in social gatherings like tea parties, movie matinees, and birthday celebrations all catered from local and popular restaurants. —Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 20 Dec. 2024

But that should not be a factor in whether the shower is a tea party or a cocktail party. —Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 18 Nov. 2024

Okay, watching Andrew Garfield have a tea party with a child has bisexually devastated me. —Emma Specter, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1778, in the meaning defined at sense 1