New Deal

noun

: the legislative and administrative program of President Franklin D. Roosevelt designed to promote economic recovery and social reform during the 1930s
also : the period of this program
New Dealer noun
New Dealish
-ˈdē-lish How to pronounce New Deal (audio)
adjective
New Dealism
-ˈdē-ˌli-zəm How to pronounce New Deal (audio)
noun

Examples of New Deal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
After New Deal policies of the 1930s and 40s secured workers’ legal rights, union membership soared. — Liz Shuler, Time, 15 Oct. 2026 Flanagan has not endorsed or campaigned on the Green New Deal. — Maydeen Merino, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026 Know More Handa likened the push for AI regulation to progressive calls for Democrats to support Medicare for All and the Green New Deal. — Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026 This started out as the Green New Deal and got smaller at every turn, largely through the influence of Joe Manchin, the West Virginia Democrat who was the 50th vote and could turn his thumb up or down on anything. — Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for New Deal

Word History

Etymology

from the supposed resemblance to the situation of freshness and equality of opportunity afforded by a fresh deal in a card game

First Known Use

1932, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of New Deal was in 1932

Rhymes for New Deal

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Browse Nearby Words

new-day
New Deal
New Delhi
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Cite this Entry

“New Deal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/New%20Deal. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on New Deal

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about New Deal

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