democrat
noun
dem·o·crat
ˈde-mə-ˌkrat 
plural democrats
1
Democrat plural Democrats
: a member of the Democratic party of the U.S. : a member of one of the two major political parties in the U.S. that is usually associated with government regulation of business, finance, and industry, with federally funded educational and social services, with separation of church and state, with support for abortion rights, affirmative action, gun control, and policies and laws that protect and support the rights of workers and minorities, and with internationalism and multilateralism in foreign policy
Note: Democrats are associated with liberalism and/or progressivism and the political Left (see left entry 2 sense 3a).
compare republican2
old-fashioned
a
: one that favors or supports a democratic form of government (see democratic sense 2) : an adherent or advocate of democracy
It seems so easy for America to inspire and express the most expansive and humane spirit; new-born, free, healthful, strong, the land of the laborer, of the democrat, of the philanthropist, of the believer, of the saint, she should speak for the human race.—
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ralph Waldo EmersonI was as much as ever a radical and democrat for Europe, and especially for England. I thought the predominance of the aristocratic classes, the noble and the rich, in the English Constitution, an evil worth any struggle to get rid of …—John Stuart Mill
John Stuart Mill
b
: one who practices or believes in social equality
The American, if intellectually an aristocrat, was still socially and subconsciously a democrat. It had never crossed his mind that the poet should be counted lucky to know the squire and not the squire to know the poet.—G. K. Chesterton
G. K. ChestertonHe rejoiced to call himself a democrat, and would boast that rank could have no effect on him.—Anthony Trollope
Anthony TrollopeExamples of democrat in a Sentence
a true democrat, he has always abhorred that nation's class system
Recent Examples on the Web
The comments underscore Democrats’ growing optimism about Texas despite the state’s long-standing Republican advantage.
—Kiara Moore, The Washington Examiner, 19 May 2026
The second- and third-ranking Democrats—Steny Hoyer, of Maryland, and Clyburn—were, like Pelosi, in their late seventies.
—Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
Currently, Georgia has nine Republican representatives and four democrats in office, with one vacancy in the 14th district.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 18 May 2026
By doing so, Matsui is like too many mainstream Democrats who are out of step with the views and beliefs of Democratic voters.
—Robin Epley, Sacbee.com, 14 May 2026
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Kiara Moore, The Washington Examiner, 19 May 2026
The second- and third-ranking Democrats—Steny Hoyer, of Maryland, and Clyburn—were, like Pelosi, in their late seventies.
—Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
Currently, Georgia has nine Republican representatives and four democrats in office, with one vacancy in the 14th district.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 18 May 2026
By doing so, Matsui is like too many mainstream Democrats who are out of step with the views and beliefs of Democratic voters.
—Robin Epley, Sacbee.com, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for democrat
Cite this Entry
“Democrat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/democrat. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
democrat
noun
dem·o·crat
ˈdem-ə-ˌkrat
1
: one who believes in or practices democracy
2
capitalized
: a member of the Democratic party of the U.S.
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