pressure group

American  

noun

1. an interest group that attempts to influence legislation through the use of lobbying techniques and propaganda.

---

pressure group British  

noun

1. a group of people who seek to exert pressure on legislators, public opinion, etc, in order to promote their own ideas or welfare

---

pressure group Cultural  

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

---

Etymology

Origin of pressure group

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pressure group

But "for now, the CJP will function as a pressure group", Dipke added, rather than a political party.

From Barron's ● Aug. 8, 2026

A Madrid-based pressure group, Safeguard Defenders, has counted more than 100 overseas Chinese police stations and linked some of them to extrajudicial efforts by Beijing to pressure its opponents.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 6, 2026

The Transport and Environment pressure group said the plan contained "promising steps" towards decarbonising aviation and maritime transport -- but that the bloc needs to move fast.

From Barron's ● Nov. 5, 2025

However, Alison Downes, director of pressure group Stop Sizewell C, condemned the announcement, adding it was a move the government would "come to regret".

From BBC ● Jun. 9, 2025

Mda believed the Youth League should function as an internal pressure group, a militant nationalistic wing within the ANC as a whole that would propel the organization into a new era.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

• interest group
• political action committee