left wing

See synonyms for left wing on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. members of a liberal or radical political party, or those favoring extensive political reform.

  2. such a party or a group of such parties.

  1. the part of a political or social organization advocating a liberal or radical position.

Origin of left wing

1
First recorded in 1700–10

Other words from left wing

  • left-wing, adjective
  • left-winger, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use left wing in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for left wing

left wing

noun
  1. (often capital) the leftist faction of an assembly, party, group, etc; the radical or progressive wing

  2. the units of an army situated on the left of a battle position

  1. sport

    • the left-hand side of the field of play from the point of view of either team facing its opponents' goal

    • a player positioned in this area in certain games

adjectiveleft-wing
  1. of, belonging to, or relating to the political left wing

Derived forms of left wing

  • left-winger, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for left-wing (1 of 2)

left-wing

A descriptive term for an individual or a political faction that advocates liberal, radical, or even revolutionary policies, usually in favor of overcoming social inequalities. In the United States, left-wing groups generally support federal social welfare programs designed to open opportunities to all citizens. (Compare right-wing.)

Notes for left-wing

Although both major political parties in the United States have left-wing factions, left-wing policies are usually associated with the Democratic party.
left-wing

A descriptive term for liberal, radical, or revolutionary political views, particularly the view that there are unacceptable social inequalities in the present order of society. Communists and socialists, as well as moderate liberals, come under the term left-wing. Left-wing groups are sometimes known collectively as the Left. (Compare right-wing.)

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Other Idioms and Phrases with left wing

left wing

The liberal or radical faction of a political group, as in Many consider him a leader of the Democratic Party's left wing. This expression originated in the seating practice of European legislatures, whereby those holding liberal views were assigned to the left side of the house. [First half of 1800s]

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.