gang

gang¹ S3 [gæŋ] n

[: Old English; Origin: 'way, journey'; the modern meaning comes from the idea of a group of people "going" together]

1.)

a) a group of young people who spend time together, and who are often involved in crime or drugs and who often fight against other groups

▪ two rival street gangs

gang member/member of a gang

▪ The parents have denied that their son is a gang member.

▪ the problem of inner-city gang violence

b) a group of young people together in one place, especially young people who might cause trouble

gang of

▪ There were always gangs of kids hanging around the mall.

▪ a victim of gang warfare

2.) a group of criminals who work together

▪ Several gangs were operating in the area.

▪ Armed gangs have hijacked lorries.

gang of

▪ a gang of smugglers

3.) informal a group of friends, especially young people

▪ The whole gang will be there next weekend.

4.) a group of workers or prisoners doing physical work together

→↑chain gang

gang ²

gang² v

gang up on/against [gang up on/against sb] phr v

if people gang up on someone, they join together to attack, criticize, or oppose them, especially in a way that seems unfair

▪ Schoolchildren are quick to gang up on anyone who looks or behaves differently.

gang together phr v

if people gang together, they form a group in order to do something together, especially to oppose something

▪ The smaller shopkeepers ganged together to beat off competition from the supermarkets.