A republican is someone who supports a system of government where leaders are elected by the people rather than inheriting power through royal birth. The word comes from res publica, Latin for “public thing” or “public matter,” meaning the government belongs to all citizens, not to a king or queen.

When America's Founders chose a republican form of government in 1787, they rejected monarchy and created a system where citizens elect representatives to make laws on their behalf. This is different from a pure democracy, where everyone votes on every decision. In a republic, you vote for people you trust to represent your interests in government.

The word can also refer to someone who belongs to the Republican Party, one of America's two major political parties. The Republican Party was founded in 1854 by people who opposed the expansion of slavery into new territories. Abraham Lincoln became the first Republican president in 1860. Today, Republicans and Democrats have different views on many issues, though both parties include millions of Americans who love their country and want what's best for it.

When you see republican with a lowercase “r,” it usually means a supporter of a republic or the system of government. With a capital “R,” it typically refers to the political party.