# Watergate

/ˈwɑtɝˌɡeɪt/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

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

## Definition

a major political scandal involving illegal activities and a cover-up by people in power. It comes from a famous event in the 1970s that led to the U.S. president resigning.

For teachers: a political scandal involving illegal activities and an attempted cover-up by high-ranking officials. Often used as a suffix to name other scandals by adding '-gate' to a related word.

## Examples

- The scandal was the biggest watergate of the decade.
- Journalists compared the recent election interference to the original Watergate because of the high-level cover-up involved.
- The legacy of Watergate fundamentally altered the relationship between the American executive branch and the press, ushering in an era of heightened investigative scrutiny and public skepticism.

## Usage notes

- When referring to the specific 1972 U.S. political event, it is a proper noun and must be capitalized.

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