The Mafia is a criminal organization that makes money illegally, especially by threatening people and dealing in drugs.
The Mafia is by no means ignored by Italian television.
2. countable noun
You can use mafia to refer to an organized group of people who you disapprove of because they use unfair or illegal means in order to get what they want.
[disapproval]
They are well-connected with the south-based education-reform mafia.
Mafia in British English
or Maffia (ˈmæfɪə)
noun
1. the Mafia
2.
any group considered to resemble the Mafia
See also Black Hand, Camorra, Cosa Nostra
Word origin
C19: from Sicilian dialect of Italian, literally hostility to the law, boldness, perhapsfrom Arabic mahyah bragging
Mafia in American English
(ˈmɑfiə)
noun
1.
in Sicily,
a. [m-]
an attitude of popular hostility to law and government
b.
a secret society characterized by this attitude
2.
a.
in the U.S. and elsewhere, a secret society, of Italian origin, engaged in such illegal activities as gambling, prostitution, and illicit trade in narcotics
b. [m-]
any group engaged in such activities
the Russian mafia
3. [m-]
any exclusive or dominating group
Also ˈMaffia
Word origin
Sicilian
Examples of 'Mafia' in a sentence
Mafia
Everybody pays protection money to the mafia.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
There was also the small matter of visits from the local mafia.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Police questioned suspected members of the local mafia.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Others allege that Russia and its intelligence agencies use mafia bosses to conduct criminal operations.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
He owed money to the Russian mafia.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The dispute almost triggered a clash between rival mafia clans, it is alleged.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He is said to have claimed that he was being pursued by the Russian mafia.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
And then for the easy bit - he samples the results with the local mafia!
The Sun (2006)
He does not disappear alone for two weeks to meet the Russian mafia in the name of research.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
And a venture to build a fish farm in the central Asia republic was scuppered when local mafia bosses stole his fish.
The Sun (2014)
Reports of mafia links to local Italian businesses can be very damaging '.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
But there is a risk of giving far more coverage to former criminals than to the victims of Italy's mafia clans.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
I'm not the Russian mafia.
The Sun (2008)
More recently, the Mafia had developed a legitimate claim on him.
Mark Burnell CHAMELEON (2002)
That's what the Mafia do to people who break the omerta vow of silence.
Matthews, Lew A CONVICTION OF GUILT
As Don Tino's niece her Mafia connection had assured the success of her café.
Jack Higgins THE KEYS OF HELL (2002)
He had read an article about the Russian Mafia in Brighton Beach, New York.
James W. Huston THE SHADOWS OF POWER (2002)
In other languages
mafia
British English: Mafia NOUN
The Mafia is a criminal organization that makes money illegally, especially by threatening people and dealing in drugs.