a member of the Republican Party
"After the debate, the local republican decided to vote for the candidate who promised lower taxes."
an advocate of a republic (usually in opposition to a monarchy)
"The young diplomat argued passionately as a republican that the nation should reject its royal lineage and establish a government based on elected representation."
a tributary of the Kansas River that flows from eastern Colorado eastward through Nebraska and Kansas
"After crossing into Nebraska, the Republican River continues its journey eastward before finally merging with the Kansas."
Someone who favors a republic as a form of government.
"After hearing about the new tax bill, Sarah decided to call her local representative as a concerned republican voter."
A member or supporter of the Republican Party, the more right-wing of the two main political parties in the United States.
In plain English: A republican is a person who supports a government led by elected officials rather than a king or queen.
"Many voters in that state are staunch republicans who support conservative policies."
relating to or belonging to the Republican Party
"a Republican senator"
"Republican party politics"
having the supreme power lying in the body of citizens entitled to vote for officers and representatives responsible to them or characteristic of such government
"the United States shall guarantee to every state in this union a republican form of government"
"a very republican notion"
"so little republican and so much aristocratic sentiment"
"our republican and artistic simplicity"
Advocating or supporting a republic as a form of government, advocating or supporting republicanism.
"The senator cast his vote as a staunch republican during the final debate on healthcare reform."
Of or pertaining to the Republican Party of the United States.
In plain English: Republican describes something that belongs to or supports the Republican Party in the United States.
"Many Republican lawmakers voted against the new bill today."
Usage: Use republican to describe systems of government without a monarch rather than the modern political party affiliation in the United States and other countries. Avoid confusing this adjective with "republican" when referring specifically to members of that specific political organization unless context clearly distinguishes them.
The word republican comes from combining the noun republic with the suffix -an. It was also influenced by the French word républicain.