special interest
Americannoun
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a political or economic stake in something.
Japan had a special interest in the South China Sea.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of special interest
An Americanism dating back to 1785–90
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.
Why powerful labor unions, elected officials and special interest groups backed Eric Swalwell for govenor despite rumors about past inappropriate behavior.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026
Of special interest, will he full-throatedly endorse NASA’s Artemis II launch, expected in the next month or so?
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 10, 2026
It may all also be of special interest to the millions more who are over 50, or 55, and who are thinking of retiring — or hoping to — in the reasonably near future.
From MarketWatch • Feb. 5, 2026
Just 2.5% of listed sites in England are Grade I. Around 5.8% are Grade II*, meaning they are particularly important buildings of more than special interest.
From BBC • Dec. 10, 2025
Guenever, who was not particularly good with hawks and had no special interest in them, was frightened by his frowning brow, and, because she was frightened, she became clumsy.
From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
