Definition and meaning of splinter party: A splinter party is a political party that has broken away from an existing party in order to advocate for a different set of beliefs or policies. It is often seen as a result of a disagreement or conflict between different factions within a party. Splinter parties usually form in order to bring more attention to a particular issue or position that has been overlooked by the main party. Examples of splinter parties include the Free Soil Party in the 1840s, the Bull Moose Party in the early 1900s, and the Progressive Party in the 1940s. Splinter parties often challenge the existing two-party system in the United States, as they provide an alternative to the two major parties and can open up conversations on topics that are not typically discussed in mainstream politics.