During the Revolutionary War, what was the definition of a loyalist?

During the American Revolution, the Loyalists were the American Colonists that defended the British Crown during the American Revolutionary War. They were also called Tories, Royalists or King's Men.

The Loyalists were about 1/3 of the American population in that time and they were spread in all classes but most of them were officeholders and others that served the British crown.

A loyalist was someone who wanted the colonies to remain under British control, so not throwing tea in the harbor.