language note: The spelling left wing is used for meaning [sense 2].
1. adjective
Left-wing people have political ideas that are based on socialism.
They said they would not be voting for him because he was too left-wing.
Synonyms: socialist, communist, red [informal], radical More Synonyms of left wing
2. singular noun
Theleft wing of a group of people, especially a political party, consists of the members of it whose beliefs are closer to socialism than are those of its other members.
The left-wing of the party is confident that the motion will be carried.
left wing in British English
noun
1. (often capital)
the leftist faction of an assembly, party, group, etc; the radical or progressive wing
2.
the units of an army situated on the left of a battle position
3. sport
a.
the left-hand side of the field of play from the point of view of either team facing its opponents' goal
b.
a player positioned in this area in certain games
adjectiveleft-wing
4.
of, belonging to, or relating to the political left wing
Derived forms
left-winger (ˌleft-ˈwinger)
noun
left-wing in British English
or leftwing (ˌlɛftˈwɪŋ)
adjective
politics
of, belonging to, or relating to the political left wing
They said they would not be voting for him because he was too left-wing.
a left-wing newspaper
left-wing policies
left wing in American English
the more liberal or radical section of a political party, group, etc.
Derived forms
left-wing (ˈleft-ˈwing)
adjective
left-winger (ˈleft-ˈwinger)
noun
Word origin
see , left1 (sense 7)
Examples of 'left wing' in a sentence
left wing
The midfielder saw two efforts fly wide after he cut in off the left wing.
The Sun (2014)
On the left wing were more cavalry.
Diane Purkiss The English Civil War: A People's History (2006)
He now plays on the left wing.
The Sun (2013)
The party 's left wing has also proved restless.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
He also denied that the Labour leader would be in hock to the unions or his left wing.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
He would you he could play centre-forward or left wing he's unique.
The Sun (2007)
Yet he admits he expected to be playing up front for the Gunners, not on the left wing.
The Sun (2009)
After all, it was less the unprofitable banks than the profitable ones that the party 's left wing wanted nationalised.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
He was quick to let Leicester know he was in a happy frame of mind, skipping early on with pace down the left wing.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
His elegant advocacy of libertarian socialism offered an alternative to the other flawed brands of left-wing politics.
Salkie, Raphael The Chomsky Update - Linguistics and Politics (1990)
Finally the opportunity came from a left-wing corner that Cabaye aimed in.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
She's very left-wing and her political beliefs may have something to do with it.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
His parents had been strange, left-wing political activists.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Liberation theology is also a call to political activism and therefore often combines easily with Marxism and other left-wing political ideologies.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
In other languages
left-wing
British English: left-wing /ˈlɛftˌwɪŋ/ ADJECTIVE
Left-wing people have political ideas that are based on socialism.
They will not be voting for him because he is too left-wing.