1
a
: a secret criminal society of Sicily or Italy
b
: a similarly conceived criminal organization in the U.S.
also
: a similar organization elsewhere
the Japanese Mafia
c
: a criminal organization associated with a particular traffic
the cocaine Mafia
2
often not capitalized
: a group of people likened to the Mafia
especially
: a group of people of similar interests or backgrounds prominent in a particular field or enterprise : clique
Examples of Mafia in a Sentence
a member of the Mafia
He's an important figure in the television mafia.
Recent Examples on the Web
The quarter rotisserie meal at Saucy Chick Goat Mafia in Pasadena.
—
Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Parents can have some fun of their own with sets from ’80s pop-rock icons the Go-Go’s, Portishead singer Beth Gibbons, hip-hop group Three 6 Mafia, and German electronic pioneers Kraftwerk.
—Justin Curto, Vulture, 6 Apr. 2025
This is an incredible opportunity to feature Western New York and Bills Mafia on the Hallmark platform.
—Emily Longeretta, Variety, 27 Mar. 2025
Kendrick Lamar, Khalid, The Chainsmokers, Swedish House Mafia and H.E.R. performed at the 2023 inaugural edition of the festival.
—Heran Mamo, Billboard, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for Mafia
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Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Parents can have some fun of their own with sets from ’80s pop-rock icons the Go-Go’s, Portishead singer Beth Gibbons, hip-hop group Three 6 Mafia, and German electronic pioneers Kraftwerk.
—Justin Curto, Vulture, 6 Apr. 2025
This is an incredible opportunity to feature Western New York and Bills Mafia on the Hallmark platform.
—Emily Longeretta, Variety, 27 Mar. 2025
Kendrick Lamar, Khalid, The Chainsmokers, Swedish House Mafia and H.E.R. performed at the 2023 inaugural edition of the festival.
—Heran Mamo, Billboard, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for Mafia
Cite this Entry
“Mafia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Mafia. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Mafia
noun
Ma·fia
ˈmäf-ē-ə 
ˈmaf-
1
: a secret criminal society of Sicily or Italy
2
: a similar criminal organization in the U.S. or elsewhere
Geographical Definition
Mafia
geographical name
Ma·fia
ˈmä-fē-ə
ˈma-
island of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean south of Zanzibar area 170 square miles (442 square kilometers), population 16,748
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