reference group

noun

, Sociology.

1. a group with which an individual identifies and whose values the individual accepts as guiding principles.

Word History and Origins

Origin of reference group¹

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

Worldwide in the same period, the Global Reference Group on Children Affected by COVID-19 and medical journal BMJ peg that number at about 10.5 million orphans.

From Salon

Baillie adds that there is already a national gender identity healthcare reference group and asks whether the newly proposed group will replace this.

From BBC

The Contest's Reference Group, its governing board, made the decision to accept the song 'Hurricane' for the upcoming competition after careful scrutiny of the lyrics.

From BBC

The government said advice and leadership on allergies is already provided by a clinical reference group.

From BBC

"The cross-party reference group is an additional commitment to ensuring independence."

From BBC