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

See Examples For:

interest group

"The core constituency coming to these protests doesn't represent a singular interest group."

From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026

But as I said earlier, it’s always been from a particular interest group, not the Department of Justice and not the head of the executive branch.

From Slate ● May 12, 2026

“For better or worse, government data is the official record,” said Ishan Mehta, director for media and democracy at Common Cause, the nonpartisan public interest group.

From Salon ● Feb. 15, 2025

Neither VanValkenburg nor Helmer were aware of any college or other interest group opposing the legislation, they said Tuesday.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 23, 2024

It also made each interest group a peace group inside, because only by being a peace group could it conserve all its force.

From Folkways A Study of the Sociological Importance of Usages, Manners, Customs, Mores, and Morals by Sumner, William Graham

Related Words

• lobby
• political action committee
• pressure group