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

Prince George also marked the event with a royal first: attending a tea party for World War II veterans at Buckingham Palace. —Meredith Kile, People.com, 8 May 2025

And her favorite — the ones of her and her dolls having their tea party? —Leigh Haber, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2025

Overall the effect is of a Regency-style Mad Hatter’s tea party. —Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025

Montalvo tea party Attendees can enjoy an array of teas, sandwiches and baked goods on March 23 at Montalvo Arts Center’s annual Mad Hatter’s Tea Tea times are at 1 p.m., 1:15 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.. —Isha Trivedi, The Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1778, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for tea party

• astarte
• mccarty
• nonparty
• arty
• carty
• hearty
• parti
• counterparty
• multiparty