spoils system

US:USA pronunciation: IPAUSA pronunciation: IPA/ˈspɔɪlz ˌsɪstəm/


WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
spoils sys•tem /ˈspɔɪlz ˌsɪstəm/USA pronunciation  n. [countable]
  1. Governmentthe practice in which public offices are filled with supporters of the victorious political party.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025
spoils′ sys′tem, 
  1. Governmentthe system or practice in which public offices with their emoluments and advantages are at the disposal of the victorious party for its own purposes.
  • 1830–40, American.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
spoils system
  1. the practice of filling appointive public offices with friends and supporters of the ruling political party
'spoils system' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
Jackson - spoils - spoilsman

Forum discussions with the word(s) "spoils system" in the title:


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