noun

gang

GANG

noun

A group of people, often criminals, who band together and share an identity or purpose.

"Police say the graffiti was left by a local gang marking its territory."

"Rival gangs have controlled different parts of the neighborhood for years."

Informally, any close group of friends or associates.

"The whole gang met up at the diner after the game."

A team of workers operating together under one supervisor.

"A work gang was repairing the tracks overnight."

verb

To act together as a group, especially to attack or confront someone (usually "gang up on").

"The other kids ganged up on him during recess."

How to Use Gang

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA group bound together by a shared purpose, ranging from criminal organizations to a casual circle of friends.

Common pairings

gang up on gang member street gang gang violence

Word Forms

ganged past tense, ganged past tense, ganged past tense, gangs plural, gangs singular, gangs singular, gangs singular

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Police say the graffiti was left by a local _____ marking its territory.

Etymology

From Old English gangan, "to go or walk" — the sense shifted from simply "a group going somewhere together" to today's meaning of an organized, often criminal, group.

Rhymes for gang

Ang hang rang sang bang yang pang dang fang tang nang wang

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