1. a secret criminal organization, especially one originating in Sicily
2. any organized group using extortion and other criminal methods
3. a closed group of people in a particular field, often having a controlling influence
Usage: informal

Examples

• The police investigated connections to the local mafia.
• He wrote a book about the Italian-American mafia.
• The drug mafia controlled much of the city’s illegal trade.
• She claimed there was a mafia of executives running the industry.
• The witness was afraid to testify against the mafia.
• Hollywood movies often portray mafia families and their codes.
• The journalist exposed corruption within the political mafia.