Definition

Proper noun 1. A militant Black political organization: "Black Panthers" refers specifically to the Black Panther Party, a revolutionary socialist organization founded in 1965 in the United States. Its core aims were to combat police brutality and challenge systemic white supremacy through community programs and armed self-defense.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The Black Panthers established free breakfast programs for children in their communities.
  • Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale were the founders of the Black Panthers.
  • The history of the Black Panthers is a complex chapter in the American civil rights movement.

Advanced Usage

• Historical and political context: The term is used almost exclusively to refer to the specific historical party (1965-1982). Using it to describe other groups or individuals requires clear contextualization to avoid confusion.
• "Panther" as a symbol: The organization's name derives from the black panther symbol, representing strength and dignity.

Variants and Related Words

• Black Panther Party (n): The full, formal name of the organization.
• Panther (n): While this can refer to the animal, in a specific historical-political context, it can be a shortened, informal reference to a member or aspect of the Black Panther Party (e.g., "former Panther").
• Black Power (n): A broader sociopolitical movement with which the Black Panthers were associated.

Synonyms

• Black Panther Party: This is the direct synonym and full name.

Notes on Meaning

This is a proper noun referring to one specific entity. It is not used as a common noun to describe any black panther (the animal) or any generic militant group. Its meaning is fixed within its historical and political context.

Noun

1. a militant Black political party founded in 1965 to end political dominance by Whites