1par·ty 
/ˈpɑɚti/ noun
plural par·ties /ˈpɑɚti/ noun [count] 1 : a social event in which entertainment, food, and drinks are provided
▪ We are having/giving/throwing a party. ▪ a high school dance party ▪ Were you invited to her party? ▪ Our New Year's Eve party was a huge success. ▪ a dinner party ▪ a birthday/costume/farewell party — often used before another noun ▪ a party hat/dress ▪ party decorations/games ▪ Get in the party spirit. ▪ I'm not in a party mood. — see also block party, cocktail party, drinks party, hen party, house party, slumber party, stag party, tailgate party, tea party 2 : an organization of people who have similar political beliefs and ideas and who work to have their members elected to positions in the government
▪ political parties with opposing agendas ▪ the Democratic/Republican Party ▪ The senator is loyal to his party. ▪ the ruling party [=the party that is in power] ▪ party members/policy ▪ the party leader 3 law : a person who is involved in a legal case or contract
▪ the two parties in the marriage contract ▪ the guilty party ▪ The parties in the lawsuit reached a settlement. — see also third party 4 formal : someone or something that is involved in an activity
▪ The principal of the school was urged to be a party [=participant] in the educational council. ▪ Interested parties are asked to contact their local representative. — often + to ▪ a party to the international coalition aimed at fighting hunger ▪ He refused to be a party to [=he refused to take part in] the gambling ring. 5 : a group of people who do something together
▪ a mountain-climbing party ▪ a rescue/search party — often + of ▪ a party of travelers from Great Britain ▪ He made a reservation at the restaurant for a party of four. [=for a group of four people] ▪ A party of teenagers is in charge of the neighborhood cleanup.
▪ We are having/giving/throwing a party. ▪ a high school dance party ▪ Were you invited to her party? ▪ Our New Year's Eve party was a huge success. ▪ a dinner party ▪ a birthday/costume/farewell party — often used before another noun ▪ a party hat/dress ▪ party decorations/games ▪ Get in the party spirit. ▪ I'm not in a party mood. — see also block party, cocktail party, drinks party, hen party, house party, slumber party, stag party, tailgate party, tea party
▪ political parties with opposing agendas ▪ the Democratic/Republican Party ▪ The senator is loyal to his party. ▪ the ruling party [=the party that is in power] ▪ party members/policy ▪ the party leader
▪ the two parties in the marriage contract ▪ the guilty party ▪ The parties in the lawsuit reached a settlement. — see also third party
▪ The principal of the school was urged to be a party [=participant] in the educational council. ▪ Interested parties are asked to contact their local representative. — often + to ▪ a party to the international coalition aimed at fighting hunger ▪ He refused to be a party to [=he refused to take part in] the gambling ring.
▪ a mountain-climbing party ▪ a rescue/search party — often + of ▪ a party of travelers from Great Britain ▪ He made a reservation at the restaurant for a party of four. [=for a group of four people] ▪ A party of teenagers is in charge of the neighborhood cleanup.
the life (and soul) of the party — see 1life
