# Republican

/ɹiˈpəbɫəkən/ (US) · /ɹɪpˈʌblɪkən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/republican
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. supporter of a republic

noun · CEFR B1

someone who believes a country should be a republic, which means it is led by elected people rather than a king or queen.

For teachers: an advocate of a republic as a form of government, specifically one in which the head of state is not a monarch.

- After the revolution, many people became republicans and wanted to elect their own leader.
- The transition from a monarchy to a democratic state was driven by a vocal group of republicans who demanded a constitution.

### 2. US political party member

noun · CEFR B1 · American English

a member or supporter of the Republican Party in the United States.

For teachers: a member or supporter of the Republican Party, one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States.

- The local republican candidate promised to lower taxes if he won the election.
- The senator has been a lifelong Republican, consistently voting in favour of fiscal conservatism and reduced federal oversight.

### 3. Irish nationalist

noun · CEFR B2 · British English · Dialect

in Ireland, someone who wants Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to be one single country.

For teachers: a person who advocates for a united Irish republic, often associated with a specific nationalist political tradition.

- The history book explains the conflict between republicans and unionists in Belfast.
- The peace process required extensive negotiations between republican leaders and those who wished to remain part of the United Kingdom.

### 4. relating to a republic

adjective · CEFR B1

relating to a republic or the idea that people should choose their leaders.

For teachers: pertaining to, characteristic of, or supporting a republic as a system of government.

- The country has a republican system where the president is elected every four years.
- The scholars debated whether the new constitution truly reflected republican ideals of liberty and civic participation.

## Examples

- He has been a Republican since he was eighteen.
- The local Republican candidate promised to reduce property taxes and increase funding for the police department.
- Political analysts observed that the Republican base showed significant enthusiasm during the primary elections, particularly regarding issues of national security and fiscal responsibility.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.