bipartisanship
gb/baɪpˈɑɹtəzənʃˌɪp/ us/baɪpˈɑɹtəzənʃˌɪp/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
C1
abstract
1
cooperation between two parties
when two political parties work together or support the same plan
Usage pattern:
bipartisanship between [parties]; bipartisanship on [an issue]
Common mistake:
Do not confuse bipartisanship with nonpartisanship. Bipartisanship involves two parties working together; nonpartisanship means not favoring any political party.
Synonyms
cross-party cooperation (clearer and more descriptive; common especially outside the U.S.)
|
political consensus (broader; emphasizes agreement rather than party cooperation itself)
|
cooperation across party lines (more explanatory and less compact)
Antonyms
partisanship (strong loyalty to one party, often with opposition to the other)
|
polarization (emphasizes sharp division between political sides)
|
party-line division (emphasizes voting or disagreement strictly according to party membership)
Collocations
genuine bipartisanship
|true bipartisanship
|rare bipartisanship
|the spirit of bipartisanship
|an era of bipartisanship
|a call for bipartisanship
|show bipartisanship
|promote bipartisanship
|the need for bipartisanship
|a lack of bipartisanship
Themes
politics
|government
|public_policy
Examples
- The bill passed with unusual bipartisanship after months of negotiations.
- Voters say they want more bipartisanship, but party leaders often face pressure from their bases.
- The committee's report was praised as a rare example of bipartisanship in a divided Congress.
Learner examples
- Bipartisanship helped the two parties pass the law.
- Many people want more bipartisanship in government.
Grammar
Dictionary form
bipartisanship
IPA
GB/baɪpˈɑɹtəzənʃˌɪp/
US/baɪpˈɑɹtəzənʃˌɪp/
Syllables & stress
bi - par - tis - an - ship (5 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (par)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: bipartisanship
- Plural: bipartisanships
Expressions
in a spirit of bipartisanship
1/ˈɪn ə spˈɪɹɪt əv baɪpˈɑɹtəzənʃˌɪp/
fixed phrase
with cross-party cooperation
with a willingness for two political parties to work together
Examples
- The senators promised to negotiate in a spirit of bipartisanship.
- In a spirit of bipartisanship, both parties agreed to keep the government open.
- The mayor urged council members to approach the budget in a spirit of bipartisanship.
reach across the aisle
1/ɹˈit͡ʃ əkɹˈɔs ðə ˈaɪl/
idiom
cooperate with the other party
To try to work together with politicians from another party, usually to make or pass a law.
Examples
- The president promised to reach across the aisle to find a compromise.
- She has a record of reaching across the aisle on key issues.
- Voters want leaders who are willing to reach across the aisle.
reach across the aisle
1/ɹˈit͡ʃ əkɹˈɔs ðə ˈaɪl/
idiom
cooperate with political opponents
to work with politicians from the other main party
Examples
- The governor said she was ready to reach across the aisle on education reform.
- He built his reputation by reaching across the aisle to pass practical legislation.
- After the election, party leaders faced pressure to reach across the aisle.