gang
1 Americannoun
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gangs
plural
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a group or band.
A gang of boys gathered around the winning pitcher.
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a group of youngsters or adolescents who associate closely, often exclusively, for social reasons, especially such a group engaging in delinquent behavior.
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a group of people with compatible tastes or mutual interests who gather together for social reasons.
I'm throwing a party for the gang I bowl with.
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a group of persons working together; squad; shift.
a gang of laborers.
- Synonyms:
- team
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a group of persons associated for some criminal or other antisocial purpose.
a gang of thieves.
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a set of tools, electronic components or circuits, oars, etc., arranged to work together or simultaneously.
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a group of identical or related items.
verb (used with object)
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to arrange in groups or sets; form into a gang.
to gang illustrations for more economical printing on one sheet.
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to attack in a gang.
verb (used without object)
verb phrase
verb (used without object)
noun
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a group of people who associate together or act as an organized body, esp for criminal or illegal purposes
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an organized group of workmen
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a herd of buffaloes or elks or a pack of wild dogs
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a group of shearers who travel to different shearing sheds, shearing, classing, and baling wool
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a series of similar tools arranged to work simultaneously in parallel
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( as modifier )
a gang saw
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verb
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to form into, become part of, or act as a gang
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(tr) electronics to mount (two or more components, such as variable capacitors) on the same shaft, permitting adjustment by a single control
verb
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of gang1
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English gang, gong, Old English gang, gong “manner of going, way, passage”; cognate with Old High German gang, Old Norse gangr, Gothic gagg; cf. gang 2
Origin of gang2
First recorded before 900; Middle English gangen, Old English gangan, gongan; cognate with Old High German gangan, Old Norse ganga, Gothic gaggan; cf. gang 1 (noun derivative from same root)
Explanation
A gang is an association or group of criminals. Often, members of one gang will fight violently with another gang. People join gangs for the sense of belonging, as well as for protection by other members. A gang usually claims an area as its territory and defends it against other gangs or unaffiliated criminals. You can also use gang for a group of friends or workers: "A whole gang of us went to the movies together." The Old English root, gang, means "journey." Today's definition comes from the idea of "a band of people traveling together."
Vocabulary lists containing gang
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
His work negotiating gang truces brought him widespread accolades, earning him numerous contracts with the city of Los Angeles.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 5, 2026
The Salvadorans and other forces must do everything to prevent casualties in areas where gang members live among civilians, he said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 3, 2026
Dressed as the Mystery Inc gang, they said they enjoyed a frightfully good night in the city.
From BBC ● Oct. 31, 2026
Elections are seen as a crucial step to stabilizing the government and tackling rampant crime in Haiti, which has been engulfed for years by gang warfare and political chaos.
From Barron's ● Oct. 29, 2026
"Was Tariq Johnson a member of your gang?"
From "How It Went Down" by Kekla Magoon
If Luna is able to effectively implement and enforce the new policy, Bonner said, “We’ll look back a few years from now and say, ‘There aren’t any deputy gangs anymore.’”
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2026
“This is the policy that, if it is implemented, will actually eradicate deputy gangs in the Sheriff’s Department,” he said in an interview.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2026
The Scottish government ordered a public inquiry into grooming gangs in February following mounting political pressure.
From BBC ● Nov. 3, 2026
Many Haitians see in the Salvadoran military mission a glimmer of hope that could mark the beginning of the end of the reign of terror in which local gangs have held the country for years.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 3, 2026
Kiyo and I were too young to run around, but often we would eat in gangs with other kids, while the grownups sat at another table.
From "Farewell to Manzanar" by Jeanne Houston
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
