Applied to associations, etc. not having a visible, open organization, esp. as invisible college.

With capital initial and chiefly with the. A political club, founded in 1659 by James Harrington, which advocated rotation in the offices of…

Military. A detachment of troops assigned to a particular task outside ordinary duties.

A voluntary association of free individuals; the freedom to form such an association or to socialize with others, esp. regarded as a right. Also: a…

a committee established to perform a specific task; spec. = working party, n. 3.

(The name of) any of various organizations concerned with the discussion or promotion of ethical conduct, esp. in a particular practice or…

any of various organizations drawing membership from the bar (sense 26a) and representing the interests of the legal profession, esp. in a…

In recent times often adopted in the names of certain associations of individuals or of societies for some common object. Anti-Corn-Law League: a…

A society or organization that meets from time to time for the settlement of common concerns.

The figure or representation of a tiger; esp. one used as a badge or crest; hence, popularly applied to an organization or society having this…

A relatively small group of people having (esp. religious) beliefs or practices regarded by others as strange or sinister, or as exercising…

a patriotic society, founded in 1890, composed of female descendants of those who aided the cause of American independence and whose aims include…

an association of individuals from the same community, esp. one formed to advance a particular cause or interest.

a non-profit-making society or cooperative established for the purpose of providing housing at relatively low cost.

A committee or group appointed by a government body or other organization to investigate and report on a particular subject and to make…

any of various agencies that help support economic growth, social progress, etc., within a specified country or region, esp. one currently…

a group of people linked by a common purpose or interest.

an organization responsible for the dissemination of propaganda.

an organization or department that raises or provides funds for a particular cause or purpose.

A collective organization or unit; spec. a collective farm (see A. 2f, above).

In extended use, of other vigilante groups. Also transferred and figurative.

An interconnected group of people; an organization; spec. a group of people having certain connections (frequently as a result of attending a…

non-governmental organization; cf. quango, n.

(in some communist countries, now chiefly China) a unit within a commune required to meet specified production targets, esp. for agriculture.

an organization which represents and protects separate member bodies.

In extended use (chiefly in African-American usage): any institution regarded as exploitative or paternalistic, esp. in fostering an environment…

A research institute or other organization providing advice and ideas on national or commercial problems; an interdisciplinary group of specialist…

a group of people that meets to discuss a subject or solve a problem.

colloquial. With postmodifying word or words. Used to form the name of a real or notional group which supports or likes the person or thing indicated.