pressure group

American  

noun

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

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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

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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.)

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Etymology

Origin of pressure group

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

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

Around this time, Bobi Wine developed the People Power movement, a pressure group campaigning for better democratic and social conditions.

From BBC • Jan. 10, 2026

Still, the ClientEarth pressure group called the report a "vital reminder that the commission is not above the law" and that "civil society must not be sidelined."

From Barron's • Nov. 27, 2025

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

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