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noun

caucus

/ˈkɔːkəs/  ·  say it: KAW·kus

a meeting of party members to choose candidates or policy

In Politics & Diplomacy

In more detail

1. (noun) a private meeting of members of a political party to discuss party business or decide on candidates

2. (noun) a group of people with shared interests or concerns within a larger organization

Examples

How to use caucus

Caucus refers to a private or closed meeting, typically of political party members, often with the implication of deliberation before a larger public decision. It can also denote a group within a larger body united by shared policy goals or identity. The term carries a somewhat formal political connotation and is most common in American English, especially regarding primary elections.

Register: formal

Common phrases

Synonyms

meeting · committee · faction · group

Word family

caucus (noun) · caucuses (plural)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse caucus with general meetings or primaries; caucuses are specifically closed gatherings where party members deliberate and decide, distinct from open primary elections.

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