Words / B2

FAKSHUN/ˈfækʃn/

A faction is a small group inside a larger organisation that disagrees with the rest: a faction of the board; factional fighting. Group is wider; party is a whole political organisation. A faction blocked the merger. Do not call two friends who prefer tea a faction.

Meaning

A small group inside a larger one that disagrees with the rest.

Examples

• “A faction on the board blocked the merger until the vote.”
• “Factional briefings leaked to the Sunday papers, which is the news sense.”

Good to know

a faction of / within; factional + noun. Wider: group / wing. Politics, unions, boards. Not a casual preference. Often negative in headlines.

Near in meaning

wing

New