Cosa Nostra

American  

[koh-zuh nohs-truh] / ˈkoʊ zə ˈnoʊs trə /

noun

1. a secret association engaged in organized crime in the U.S., modeled after and affiliated with the Mafia.

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Cosa Nostra British  

/ ˈkəʊsə ˈnɒstrə /

noun

1. the branch of the Mafia that operates in the US

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Etymology

Origin of Cosa Nostra

1960–65; < Italian: literally, our affair

Example Sentences

He had persuaded the F.B.I. to stop using the terms Mafia and Cosa Nostra in its news releases.

From New York Times • May 30, 2024

Former FBI Director James Comey described his first meeting with Trump, in which he demanded loyalty, as feeling “like Sammy the Bull’s Cosa Nostra induction ceremony.”

From Slate • Apr. 30, 2024

Despite his notoriety, prosecutors have always doubted that Messina Denaro became the Mafia "boss of bosses", saying it was more likely that he was simply the head of Cosa Nostra in western Sicily.

From Reuters • Sep. 25, 2023

Instead Cosa Nostra is lying low, opting to “co-penetrate the social and economic fabric” of Italy, Melillo said.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 17, 2023

University of Essex criminology professor Anna Sergi told the BBC it was doubtful Cosa Nostra could survive without its mythological boss, who had become the symbol of the Mafia's resilience.

From BBC • Jan. 17, 2023