faction

¹

[ fak-shuhn ]

noun

1. a group or clique within a larger group, party, government, organization, or the like, typically having different opinions and interests than the larger group:

   a faction in favor of big business; rival factions within the company.

2. party strife and intrigue; dissension:

   an era of faction and treason.

   Synonyms: friction, split, schism, disagreement, discord

faction

²

[ fak-shuhn ]

noun

, Informal.

1. a form of writing or filmmaking that treats real people or events as if they were fictional or uses them as an integral part of a fictional account.
2. a novel, film, play, or other presentation in this form.

faction

¹

/ ˈfækʃən /

noun

1. a group of people forming a minority within a larger body, esp a dissentious group
2. strife or dissension within a group

faction

²

/ ˈfækʃən /

noun

1. a television programme, film, or literary work comprising a dramatized presentation of actual events

faction

1. A group formed to seek some goal within a political party or a government. The term suggests quarrelsome dissent from the course pursued by the party or government majority: “His administration is moderate, but it contains a faction of extremists.”

Derived Forms

• ˈfactionalist, noun
• ˈfactionalˌism, noun
• ˈfactional, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of faction¹

First recorded in 1500–10; < Latin factiōn- (stem of factiō ) “a doing, company, division,” equivalent to fact(us) “done, made” ( fact ) + -iōn- -ion

Origin of faction²

1965–70; blend of fact and fiction

Word History and Origins

Origin of faction¹

C16: from Latin factiō a making, from facere to make, do

Origin of faction²

C20: a blend of fact and fiction

Example Sentences

In the wake of Vice President Kamala Harris’ defeat, recriminations have flourished inside the Democratic Party with different factions blaming different policies or groups to explain the loss.

From Salon

It’s both broad enough to cover everything, from coffee chains to cookie commercials, yet predictable enough for the factions’ opinions to fall roughly along well-worn partisan lines.

From Salon

Bradford, who championed reparations legislation during his tenure, hoped the future senator would be “willing to meet with all factions of the community, because it’s a great diverse need in this district.”

From Los Angeles Times

When considering the evidence, Mr Justice McFarland noted an ongoing feud in the area between two factions.

From BBC

Even more importantly, Trump doesn't know how to bring different factions to the table to compromise.

From Salon

Related Words

• bloc
• clan
• gang
• junta
• minority
• party
• sect
• side
• wing