Faction — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈfak-shən/ fac·tion

Meaning & Definition of Faction

Faction (noun)

  1. a party or group (as within a government) that is often contentious or self-seeking, clique
  2. party spirit especially when marked by dissension

Faction (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a group of people acting together within a larger group

    "several factions within the environmental movement have joined forces to save this wilderness area"

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Faction

The most common words with a similar meaning to Faction:

Word Forms of Faction

Derived words: factional (adjective), factionalism (noun), factionally (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Faction

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French faccion, borrowed from Latin factiōn-, factiō "act of making, social set, band, group, self-seeking political group," from facere "to make, bring about, place, classify" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action fact

First known use: 1509

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Faction

Words & Phrases Containing Faction

Frequently Asked Questions about Faction

What does "Faction" mean?

"Faction" means a party or group (as within a government) that is often contentious or self-seeking, clique. As a noun, it is defined as: a party or group (as within a government) that is often contentious or self-seeking, clique.

What is another word for "Faction"?

Other words for "Faction" include bloc, block, body, coalition, party, sect, set and side. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Faction" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Faction"?

There are 21 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Faction". Common alternatives include bloc, block, body, coalition, party, sect, set, side and wing.

How do you use "Faction" in a sentence?

Examples of "Faction" in a sentence: "several factions within the environmental movement have joined forces to save this wilderness area".

Is "Faction" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Faction" is a noun.

Is "Faction" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Faction" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Faction"?

"Faction" is pronounced /ˈfak-shən/ and divided into syllables as fac·tion.

What is the origin of the word "Faction"?

"Faction" comes from borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French faccion, borrowed from Latin factiōn-, factiō "act of making, social set, band, group, self-seeking political group," from facere "to make, bring about, place, classify" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action fact. First known use: 1509.