What does "caucus" mean?
A usually preliminary meeting of party members to nominate candidates for public office or delegates to be sent to a nominating convention, or to confer regarding policy.
Caucus
/ˈkɔ(ː).kəs/ noun, verb, slang
noun, verb, slang ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A usually preliminary meeting of party members to nominate candidates for public office or delegates to be sent to a nominating convention, or to confer regarding policy.
- Grammar: caucus is listed as noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: assemblee, assembly, assembly, assignation.
- Useful contrasts: disband, disperse, dissolve.
- Usage evidence: Some states select primary candidates by caucus, while others hold an election.
How to use "caucus"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "caucus" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "caucus" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "caucus" is acting as noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
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3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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Definitions
Noun
- 1 A usually preliminary meeting of party members to nominate candidates for public office or delegates to be sent to a nominating convention, or to confer regarding policy. Canada, Israel, Pakistan, South-Africa, US, Zimbabwe, archaic
"He conferred with Mr. Warren of Plymouth upon the necessity of giving into spirited measures, and then said, "Do you keep the committee in play, and I will go and make a caucus against the evening; and do you meet me.""
- 2 a closed political meeting wordnet
- 3 A grouping of all the members of a legislature from the same party. Canada, Israel, Pakistan, South-Africa, US, Zimbabwe, archaic
- 4 A political interest group by members of a legislative body. Canada, Israel, Pakistan, South-Africa, US, Zimbabwe, archaic
Verb
- 1 To meet and participate in a caucus. Canada, Israel, Pakistan, South-Africa, US, Zimbabwe, archaic
"Senator Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut said yesterday that he will caucus with Senate Democrats in the new Congress, but he would not rule out switching to the Republican caucus if he starts to feel uncomfortable among Democrats."
- 2 meet to select a candidate or promote a policy wordnet
- 3 To confer. Canada, Israel, Pakistan, South-Africa, US, Zimbabwe, archaic, broadly, informal, intransitive
"The protesters caucused nearby to discuss demands."
- 4 To bring into or treat in a caucus. Canada, Israel, Pakistan, South-Africa, US, Zimbabwe, archaic, transitive
"Although journalists from the private media were barred from entering the hall, different districts caucused the meeting, discussing the voting centres and other logistics."
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Some states select primary candidates by caucus, while others hold an election."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "caucus"?
Common synonyms include: assemblee, assembly, assembly, assignation, at home, ball.
How do you use "caucus" in a sentence?
Some states select primary candidates by caucus, while others hold an election.
How do you pronounce "caucus"?
Pronounced /ˈkɔ(ː).kəs/.
Etymology
Unknown. Often claimed to be from an Algonquian language; transcribed words such as cawaassough and caucauasu meaning "counselor, elder, adviser" appear in early texts. A popular folk etymology attested in Great Leaders and National Issues of 1896 stated: "In the early part of the eighteenth century a number of caulkers connected with the shipping business in the North End of Boston held a meeting for consultation. That meeting was the germ of the political caucuses which have formed so prominent a feature of our government ever since its organization." American Heritage Dictionary states the term is taken from the Caucus Club of Boston in the 1760s, possibly from Medieval Latin caucus (“drinking vessel”).