interest group

American  

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.

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interest group Cultural  

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

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Etymology

Origin of interest group

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

Election post-mortems, as well as consistent feedback from polling and interest groups, point towards the desire for a more diverse Liberal Party that reflects modern Australia, and a more cooperative, stable one.

From BBC

Some of the state’s status quo education interest groups resisted the 2013 legislation that created the state’s literacy reforms.

From The Wall Street Journal

In an interview Monday, she portrayed herself as not beholden to any special interest groups.

From Los Angeles Times

“And I’m not scared of any interest group.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Some 26 environmental interest groups opposed the bill, while nearly all business groups supported it.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• lobby
• political action committee
• pressure group