CAUCUS Definition & Meaning

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caucus

[ kaw-kuhs ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

plural caucuses.

U.S. Politics.
1. a local meeting of party members to select candidates, elect convention delegates, etc.
2. a meeting of party members within a legislative body to select leaders and determine strategy.
3. Often Caucus. a faction within a legislative body that pursues its interests through the legislative process:
  the Women's Caucus; the Black Caucus.
any group or meeting organized to further a special interest or cause.

verb (used without object)

to hold or meet in a caucus.

verb (used with object)

to bring up or hold for discussion in a caucus:
The subject was caucused.
to bring together or poll in a caucus:
The paper caucused its new editorial board on Friday.
The chairman caucused the water pollution committee before making recommendations.

caucus

/ ˈ��ɔː��ə�� /

noun

1. a closed meeting of the members of one party in a legislative chamber, etc, to coordinate policy, choose candidates, etc
2. such a bloc of politicians
  the Democratic caucus in Congress
1. a group of leading politicians of one party
2. a meeting of such a group
a local meeting of party members
a group or faction within a larger group, esp a political party, who discuss tactics, choose candidates, etc
a group of MPs from one party who meet to discuss tactics, etc
a formal meeting of all Members of Parliament belonging to one political party

verb

intr to hold a caucus

caucus

A meeting of members of a political party to nominate candidates, choose convention delegates, plan campaign tactics, determine party policy, or select leaders for a legislature.

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of caucus¹

An Americanism dating back to 1755–65; apparently first used in the name of the Caucus Club of colonial Boston; further origin uncertain; perhaps from Medieval Latin caucus “drinking vessel,” Late Latin caucum, from Greek �첹û��ǲ�; perhaps from Virginia Algonquian Cawcawwassough “elders of the Chickahominy people”

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of caucus¹

C18: probably of Algonquian origin; related to caucauasu adviser

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

He is expected to call for a "more practical and visible cooperation" in a unionist caucus of parliamentarians who are dedicated to "upending the protocol" and all its ramifications.

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Cook comes to the EPA following various roles in government and politics, including serving as chief of staff to the minority caucus in the California Legislature and in advisory positions with the U.S.

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Over the years since I was a bright-eyed, 20-something staffer, I’ve come to doubt the practicality of a bipartisan Latino caucus, which now seems like a lost opportunity of the last generation.

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It's easy enough for Torres, Beyer and others in the Democratic caucus to gripe about the volume of irate calls to their offices.

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Despite signs of unrest in the GOP caucus, Democrats are still preparing for deep and broad cuts.

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