focus group

noun

|Updated on: 18 Jun 2018

Definition of focus group

: a small group of people whose response to something (such as a new product or a politician's image) is studied to determine the response that can be expected from a larger population

See focus group defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of focus group from the Web

Senai Taziz, a cook living in Chamblee, rode the bus and then caught the train to Dunwoody to pick up $30 for a focus group gig.

— bill torpy, ajc, "Torpy at Large: Riding the rails in search of what ails MARTA," 13 June 2018
So, something is telling them, either their polling or their focus groups are telling them that this message works for their particular voters.

— Fox News, "Nancy Pelosi mocks the Trump economy," 9 June 2018
Before Prince Muhammad’s economic- and social-reform drive, SCL Group, a British firm, conducted dozens of focus groups with ordinary Saudis and found evidence of widespread discontent with the monarchy.

— The Economist, "The calculations of Muhammad bin Salman," 7 June 2018
Surveys and focus groups revealed an entirely different set of issues, all related to poverty: food, housing, utility bills, transportation.

— marcella bombardieri, The Atlantic, "One College's Struggle to Get Poor Students Through School," 30 May 2018
Scott Rissmiller, deputy chief physician executive at Atrium, said the results came from an informal spot survey and focus groups.

— deon roberts, charlotteobserver, "As nearly 100 doctors abandon Atrium Health, some experts see the start of a trend | Charlotte Observer," 25 May 2018
The investigation, which was led by NBCUniversal general counsel Kim Harris, focused on four complainants’ allegations and resulted from nearly 70 interviews with current and former employees and over 30 focus groups with 262 current employees.

— aurelie corinthios, PEOPLE.com, "Matt Lauer Admitted to 'Engaging in Sexual Activity' with the Woman Who Reported Him, NBC Says," 9 May 2018
With its lack of a conventional grille and rounded, instead of squared off, shape, consumers brought together to critique future designs in focus groups hated it.

— chris woodyard, USA TODAY, "Ford ends iconic Taurus, as cars lose out to popular SUVs," 27 Apr. 2018
The study, published last month in the journal Sexuality Research and Social Policy, surveyed 44 parents of LGBTQ teens from across the country in online focus groups.

— angie leventis lourgos, chicagotribune.com, "Parents often struggle to talk about sex with LGBTQ teens: Northwestern study," 9 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'focus group.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of focus group

1965

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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FOCUS GROUP Defined for English Language Learners

focus group

noun

Definition of focus group for English Language Learners

: a small group of people whose opinions about something (such as a politician or a new product) are studied to learn the opinions that can be expected from a larger group