party

1 noun plural parties (C)

1 FOR FUN an occasion when people meet together, to enjoy themselves by eating, drinking, dancing etc: a birthday party | a garden party | Want to come to a party on Saturday? | Let's have a party here before we move out. | give/throw a party: Robin threw a party while his parents were away. | party dress/clothes/hat (=worn at a party) | party game/trick (=played or done at a party) | party animal informal (=someone who enjoys parties) | party house/school AmE informal (=a place that often has noisy parties)

—see also: hen party, house party, stag party

2 IN POLITICS an organization of people with the same political beliefs and aims, that you can vote for in elections: The Democratic Party increased its majority. (also + plural verb) BrE: The Labour party have launched their manifesto | an all-party committee | party leader/member: Party leaders met to discuss their housing policy. | the party faithful (=its most loyal members)

—see also: party line (1)

3 GROUP OF PEOPLE a group of people that someone has formed in order to go somewhere or do something in an organized way: a search party | a rescue party | The bus was rented by a party of tourists.

—see also: working party

4 IN AN ARGUMENT/LAW one of the people or groups involved in an argument, agreement etc, especially a legal one: The two parties are having difficulty agreeing.

—see also: third party

5 the guilty party the person who has done something illegal or wrong

6 be (a) party to sth formal to be involved in or have your name connected with an activity: I insist on being a party to this discussion.

2 also party down verb (I) informal especially AmE to enjoy yourself, especially by drinking alcohol, eating, dancing etc: All right! Let's party!