left wing

noun

plural left wings

1

: the leftist division of a group (such as a political party) : the segment of a group (such as a political party) that calls for greater adherence to liberalism (see liberalism sense 2a) or progressivism (see progressivism sense 1)

the left wing of the Democratic Party

2

: political parties and individuals who support or promote political liberalism or progressivism

sometimes, specifically : such parties and individuals who are deeply opposed to capitalism

left-wing

ˈleft-ˈwiŋ 

adjective

left-wing politics

left-winger

ˈleft-ˈwiŋ-ər 

noun

plural left-wingers

the party's left-wingers

Synonyms of left wing

• liberalism
• left

Examples of left wing in a Sentence

His nomination is supported by the party's left wing but opposed by the right wing.

the left wing has lost considerable influence in the party, which is now aggressively courting political moderates

Recent Examples on the Web

And when McCollum used a short step-back to create space behind the left wing, Towns stuck with him again. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026

Aiden Hezarkhani was able to beat Jakob Glesnes on the left wing before crossing to an open Zavier Gozo. —Damian Calhoun, Daily News, 27 Apr. 2026

The change saw Leeds shift from what seemed to work as a 3-2-4-1 in possession into a more conventional 4-3-3, with Okafor occupying the left wing. —Beren Cross, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026

Franz Wagner scored five straight points by hitting a pair of jump shots, including a 27-foot 3-pointer from the left wing. —Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1844, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for left wing

• bowstring
• coiling
• downswing
• drawstring
• forewing
• hamstring
• lapwing
• mainspring
• offspring
• plaything
• shoestring
• texting