How do you use the word "caucus" in a sentence?

Q: How do you use the word "caucus" in a sentence?

Here are real-life examples of using "caucus": Some states select primary candidates by caucus, while others hold an election. Tom won the Iowa caucus but did not become president.

Caucus Meaning

/ˈkɔː.kəs/

Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

Definition

nounA usually preliminary meeting of party members to nominate candidates for public office or delegates to be sent to a nominating convention, or to confer regarding policy.

nounA grouping of all the members of a legislature from the same party.

Sentence Examples

Some states select primary candidates by caucus, while others hold an election.

Tom won the Iowa caucus but did not become president.

CEFR Practice Quiz

The party members held a ____ to choose their next candidate.

CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)

Political leaders held a ____ to decide on their strategy for election.

Word Origin & History

Unknown. Often claimed to be from an Algonquian language; transcribed words such as cawaassough and caucauasu meaning "counselor, elder, adviser" appear in early texts. A popular folk etymology attested in Great Leaders and National Issues of 1896 stated: "In the early part of the eighteenth century a number of caulkers connected with the shipping business in the North End of Boston held a meeting for consultation. That meeting was the germ of the political caucuses which have formed so prominent a feature of our government ever since its organization." American Heritage Dictionary states the term is taken from the Caucus Club of Boston in the 1760s, possibly from Medieval Latin caucus (“drinking vessel”).

Literary Quotations & Historical Citations

"He conferred with Mr. Warren of Plymouth upon the necessity of giving into spirited measures, and then said, "Do you keep the committee in play, and I will go and make a caucus against the evening; and do you meet me."" — 1788, William Gordon, The History of the Rise, Progress, and Establishment, of the Independence of the United States of America:

"Senator Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut said yesterday that he will caucus with Senate Democrats in the new Congress, but he would not rule out switching to the Republican caucus if he starts to feel uncomfortable among Democrats." — 2006 November 13, “Lieberman won't rule out GOP caucusing”, in Boston Globe, sourced from Associated Press, archived from the original on 28 Nov 2006:

"The diehard Republicans of Kansas caucused today and delivered a big victory for Mike Huckabee, McCain's remaining serious challenger." — 2008 February 9, Richard Adams, “Huckabee wins Kansas!”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:

"Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Doug Jones of Alabama and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona voted with Republicans against the measure, as did Sen. Angus King of Maine, an Independent who caucuses with the Democrats." — 2019 March 26, Rebecca Shabad, Dartunorro Clark, “Senate fails to advance Green New Deal as Democrats protest McConnell 'sham vote'”, in NBC news:

"Guardian Australia understands the Liberal states have caucused, and they want the newly elected Morrison government to reboot the Neg, or something very like it." — 2019 June 21, Katharine Murphy, “Australia's energy future: the real power is not where you’d think”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:

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