Definition

An advocate for democratic governance and popular rule, though the definition varies wildly depending on which country and decade you ask. Basically, someone who believes in 'the people deciding things.'

Example Usage

The longtime democrat fought to expand voting rights across all demographics in the district.

Source: Merriam-Webster via Free Dictionary API

Related Terms

Advanced

pocket speech

A speech prepared but never delivered, kept in one's pocket for posterity and the Congressional Record. It's how legislators take credit for things they said without the inconvenience of actually saying them to anyone.

🏛️ Government / Politics
Intermediate

Sanction

An economic punishment where one country tells another "we're not trading with you anymore" in the geopolitical equivalent of unfriending someone. Confusingly, the word can also mean "to approve," because English is a language designed to cause headaches.

🏛️ Government / Politics
Beginner

sunset clause

A provision causing legislation to automatically expire after a set period unless renewed, forcing future lawmakers to actively continue the policy. It's the political equivalent of a subscription service that makes you reconfirm annually.

🏛️ Government / Politics
Intermediate

third rail

A political issue so controversial and dangerous that touching it means instant career death, named after the electrified rail that powers subway trains. Social Security reform is the classic example that politicians approach like it's literally radioactive.

🏛️ Government / Politics
Beginner

Blue State/Red State

Classification of states based on typical electoral voting patterns—shorthand for 'don't waste time campaigning here because our minds are already made up.'

🏛️ Government / Politics
Beginner

pork barrel politics

The practice of government spending for localized projects primarily to bring money to a representative's district and secure votes, named after the literal distribution of salt pork to slaves. Modern democracy's 'you scratch my back, I'll appropriate funds for your district's convention center' system.

🏛️ Government / Politics

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See “democrat” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.

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