focus groupn.
/ˈfəʊkəs ɡruːp/, U.S. /ˈfoʊkəs ˌɡrup/ A group of people assembled for a specific purpose; spec. (Marketing and Politics) a representative group of people brought together so that their attitudes and opinions can be assessed through guided discussion and feedback, as part of a process of forming future policy or strategy, esp. with regard to new products, political policies, etc. Frequently attributive.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social relations > association, fellowship, or companionship > a company or body of persons > [noun] > other specific types of company
rabblement1536
rabble rout?1589
quorum1596
besorta1616
flying squadron1670
alliance1703
minority1837
umma1885
lads1888
minority group1919
flying squad1927
milieu1927
focus group1938
visible minority1940
enclave1945
1938 H. Nicolson Let. 2 Mar. (1966) I. 327 I went to such an odd luncheon yesterday. It is called ‘The Focus Group’, and is one of Winston [Churchill]'s things.
1965 N.Y. Times 8 Aug. 24 (advt.) Leading manufacturer of consumer products seeks a professional marketing researcher... Should..be familiar with store audits, focus group interviews and questionnaire design.
1968 Rep. Pilot Courses Six & Seven (Curriculum Lab., Goldsmiths' Coll.) 41 The focus group of teachers spends weeks planning and thinking through the theme.
1984 Fortune 5 Mar. 39/3 H-P's personal computer division even ran focus groups—in which potential customers sit around and talk about their needs and interests—to see what computer buyers wanted.
2000 N. Fairclough New Labour, New Lang. iv. 98 There is a certain irony about..Blair's reliance on focus group research in determining how to move politically.
2013 Daily Tel. 20 Nov. 21/4 The Pope's focus groups, asking what the faithful believe, will yield similar results as they would in the Church of England.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2016; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1938