WordGarden.iodemocrat
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /dˈɛməkrˌæt/
US
- /ˈdɛməˌkræt/
Meanings
Noun
a member or supporter of the Democratic Party, especially in U.S. politics
a person who believes in democracy or favors democratic government
Beyond the definition
The word "democrat" has a long history. In general, it means someone who supports democracy—the idea that people should have a voice in how they are governed. Think of ancient Greece, where citizens directly took part in public decisions; that ideal still shapes how the word is used today.
In modern English, the capitalized form "Democrat" usually means a member of the Democratic Party in the United States, one of the country’s two major political parties. You might also hear about "moderate Democrats" or "progressive Democrats," which refers to broad political wings within that party.
In many countries, the word can also describe anyone who believes democracy should be protected and expanded, so context matters: lowercase "democrat" can be ideological, while uppercase "Democrat" is usually a party label.
At its base, "democrat" refers to a person who supports democracy—a political system based on citizens choosing representatives and having a meaningful role in public decision-making.
In everyday English, the word has two common uses. First, in lowercase form it can mean a general supporter of democratic ideals in any society. Second, with a capital D it usually points to a member of the Democratic Party in the United States.
This American-party meaning has developed over time, especially after the party became known as the Democratic Party in the 1820s and 1830s. Today, it is used in news, campaigns, and voting discussions when talking about people, policies, and elections.
Within that party, you’ll also see labels like "moderate Democrat" and "progressive Democrat," which signal different policy priorities and styles of political focus. In other contexts, however, "democrat" is used more broadly for anyone who favors democratic government, rule of law, and equal political participation.
So when you see the word, the case and context usually tell you whether the writer means an ideology or a party identity.
Examples
- 1
Party preference
Her mother is a Democrat, but her father usually votes Republican.
- 2
Election district
The district used to elect Democrats, but it has become more conservative in recent years.
- 3
Political values
He was a democrat in the broad sense of the word and supported free elections and a free press.
See also
Similar
- supporter of democracy
- pro-democracy advocate
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Do not confuse
- Democratic Party member
Used with (collocations)
- committed democrat
- small-d democrat
Word family
Explore
- popular sovereignty
- representative government
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- democratnoun
Forms
- democratspluralnoun