interest group

noun

1. a group of people drawn or acting together in support of a common interest or to voice a common concern:

   Political interest groups seek to influence legislation.

interest group

1. An organized group that tries to influence the government to adopt certain policies or measures. Also called pressure group . ( See lobby .)

Word History and Origins

Origin of interest group¹

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

In the absence of such leadership, special interest groups will step in with measures that fall back on stiff punishment and mass incarceration, as Proposition 36 does.

From Los Angeles Times

When the coalition between the chancellor's centre-left Social Democrats, the environmentalist Greens and economically liberal FDP was formed in 2021, each party planned to spend big on its own individual core interest groups.

From BBC

The District 3 and District 5 races for the Los Angeles Board of Education became high-spending campaigns between two competing political interest groups, but the groups were not the same in each race.

From Los Angeles Times

Harmon has said on his website that his “affiliation is to no group. I am not part of any Super Pacs or special interest group.”

From Los Angeles Times

These interest groups should trade blows outside and leave the ballot alone.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• lobby
• political action committee
• pressure group