often capitalized: of or relating to one of the two major political parties in the U.S. evolving in the early 19th century from the anti-federalists and the Democratic-Republican party and associated in modern times with policies of broad social reform and internationalism
the Democratic candidate for governor
3
: relating to, appealing to, or available to the broad masses of the people
Democratic elections were held there today for the first time. the country's new democratic constitution Debates are an important part of the democratic process. The Democratic candidate for governor won the debate. Most of these policies appeal to Democratic voters. an interview with a leader of the Democratic Party The organization works to promote democratic reforms around the world. See More
Recent Examples on the WebThis is easy to forget in a West that believes deeply in democratic ideals and moral example. Rich Lowry, National Review, 13 Sep. 2022 His complete and utter lack of regard for democratic norms!Outside Online, 22 July 2022 Baechler was a sociologist and historian who wrote essays on suicide, war, the nature of political power, the role of experts in society, and democratic values. Alberto Mingardi, WSJ, 26 Aug. 2022 Still, there have been obvious cases when the full-throated touting of democratic values has seemed the opposite of humble, at best, and hypocritically self-defeating at worst. David Montgomery, Washington Post, 22 Aug. 2022 There Jessica Fang, a 26-year-old consultant in the central city of Changhua, said along with democratic values, the constant menace of attack is increasingly baked into the worldview of her generation.New York Times, 5 Aug. 2022 Both President Vladimir Putin and President Xi Jinping are autocrats with non-Western and non-democratic values. Ken Roberts, Forbes, 15 July 2022 In summer 2016, Mounk and co-author Roberto Foa warned that voters across Europe and North America were becoming less committed to democratic values and institutions. Ian Beacock, The New Republic, 13 July 2022 For all of Biden’s efforts to reassert that democratic values remain sacrosanct, other interests can take precedence. Eli Stokols, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French democratique, borrowed from Medieval Latin dēmocraticus, borrowed from Greek dēmokratikós, from dēmokratíademocracy + -ikos-ic entry 1