faction

The word “faction” means a smaller group within a larger organisation that holds a distinct set of views or interests, often at odds with the rest. In plain terms, a rival sub-group within a bigger organisation, or (less commonly) a mix of fact and fiction.

“Faction” is pronounced FAK-shuhn (/ˈfæk.ʃən/ in IPA).

Here is “faction” used in a sentence: “A breakaway faction of the party opposed the new policy.”

“Faction” is a noun.

The word “faction” comes from Latin. From Latin factio, "a group acting together" — a doublet of the word "fashion.".

“Faction” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.

“Faction” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a smaller group within a larger organisation that holds a distinct set of views or interests, often at odds with the rest.

A faction is a smaller group within a larger organisation that holds distinct views, often at odds with the rest of the group. A party is typically a standalone political organisation in its own right, though a party can itself contain competing factions.

As a literary or film term, faction refers to a blend of fact and fiction in a single work, where real events or people are woven together with invented details. This is a distinct meaning from the political sense of a subgroup with differing views.

Faction often implies internal conflict or division, since factions are defined by holding views at odds with the rest of an organisation. It is not necessarily hostile, but it does suggest disagreement or a split in interests within a larger group.