Vocabulary Spotlight
Caucus
Part of Speech: Noun / Verb
Definition: A meeting of members of a political party or group to decide on policy or select candidates.
“The party caucus met to discuss their strategy for the upcoming election.”
Pronunciation
[KAW-kuhs]
Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words
Synonyms
Convention
Meeting
Gathering
Session
Antonyms
Isolation
Solitude
Related Words
Committee
Delegation
Word Origin
“Caucus” likely originates from the Algonquian word cau-cau-as-u, meaning “to meet.” It entered English in the early 18th century to describe political meetings or group gatherings.
Word Family
Noun: Caucus – A meeting of party members.
Verb: To caucus – To hold a meeting within a political party or group.
Mnemonics
Think “Cause-us” – A caucus is where people meet for a shared cause or purpose.
Industry-specific Usage
Politics
Caucuses are meetings where party members gather to decide on candidates or policy stances, particularly in the U.S.
Business
In business settings, a caucus may involve team members meeting privately to align on strategy or decisions before negotiations.
Education
Student groups may caucus to decide on actions or stances related to school policies or events.
In Context
Caucuses are essential in democratic processes, allowing group members to discuss, deliberate, and reach consensus on important matters. They help organizations, political parties, and communities make unified decisions.