peer group

American  

noun

1. a group of people, usually of similar age, background, and social status, with whom a person associates and who are likely to influence the person's beliefs and behavior.

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peer group British  

noun

1. a social group composed of individuals of approximately the same age

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peer group Cultural  

1. A group of people who share certain social characteristics, such as age, class, occupation, or education, and interact on a level of equality. An individual may be a member of several peer groups, including friends, schoolmates, and coworkers. Peer groups are important in socialization, as individuals attempt to conform to the expectations of their peer groups. (See conformity and peer pressure.)

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Etymology

Origin of peer group

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

peer group

But some are prone to ludicrous circumlocutions like “Johnny faces challenges in the lived experience of interactions with his peer group in educational spaces,” instead of “Johnny doesn’t get along with his classmates.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 26, 2026

Abbie is treasurer of peer group Menstrual Health Support, and says the consensus among members is the tests were a "side-step" rather than a step forward.

From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026

“I feel like I was the same peer group growing up with her, and am just so happy that she had her happy ending,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 3, 2026

The peer group broadly slid as investors fretted over the prospect of higher fuel prices for longer as the war in Iran dragged on.

From Barron's ● Apr. 2, 2026

When you’re giving evidence in court, you’re unlikely to address the judge with “yaknowwhamean?”; and conversely the language you use in court would cause your peer group back on the street to fall about laughing.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith