Library / English Dictionary

GANG

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Tool consisting of a combination of implements arranged to work together

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("gang" is a kind of...):

tool (an implement used in the practice of a vocation)

Sense 2

Meaning:

An organized group of workmen

Synonyms:

crew; gang; work party

Classified under:

Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects

Hypernyms ("gang" is a kind of...):

social unit; unit (an organization regarded as part of a larger social group)

Meronyms (members of "gang"):

crewman (a member of a work crew)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "gang"):

shift (a crew of workers who work for a specific period of time)

detail (a crew of workers selected for a particular task)

chain gang (a gang of convicts chained together)

ground-service crew; ground crew (the crew of technicians and mechanics who service aircraft on the ground)

road gang (a gang of road workers)

section gang (a work crew assigned to a section of a railroad)

stage crew (crew of workers who move scenery or handle properties in a theatrical production)

Holonyms ("gang" is a member of...):

hands; manpower; men; work force; workforce (the force of workers available)

Derivation:

gang (act as an organized group)

Sense 3

Meaning:

An association of criminals

Example:

a pack of thieves

Synonyms:

gang; mob; pack; ring

Classified under:

Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects

Hypernyms ("gang" is a kind of...):

association (a formal organization of people or groups of people)

Meronyms (members of "gang"):

gangster; mobster (a criminal who is a member of gang)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "gang"):

nest (a gang of people (criminals or spies or terrorists) assembled in one locality)

youth gang (a gang whose members are teenagers)

Holonyms ("gang" is a member of...):

gangdom; gangland; organized crime (underworld organizations)

Derivation:

gangdom (underworld organizations)

gangster (a criminal who is a member of gang)

Sense 4

Meaning:

An informal body of friends

Example:

he still hangs out with the same crowd

Synonyms:

bunch; crew; crowd; gang

Classified under:

Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects

Hypernyms ("gang" is a kind of...):

assemblage; gathering (a group of persons together in one place)

Derivation:

gang (act as an organized group)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Act as an organized group

Synonyms:

gang; gang up

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Hypernyms (to "gang" is one way to...):

aggroup; group (form a group or group together)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Somebody ----s PP

Derivation:

gang (an organized group of workmen)

gang (an informal body of friends)

Credits

 Context examples: 

I'd clear out the whole infernal gang of them and leave this country a bit cleaner than we found it.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

A pretty gang, too!

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

So they walked off together towards the spot where Chanticleer had seen the light, and as they drew near it became larger and brighter, till they at last came close to a house in which a gang of robbers lived.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

She was then able to walk, though but slowly, and was moving away—but her terror and her purse were too tempting, and she was followed, or rather surrounded, by the whole gang, demanding more.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

The Randall gang were arrested in New York this morning.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The young fellow allowed himself to be led away toward the pavilion, and the gang followed after him.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

“The Worthingdon bank gang,” cried the inspector.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He picked the quarrel with the strange dog while the gang waited.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

There's the clock, an' I must gang. My service to ye, ladies! And off he hobbled.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

It becomes a personal matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my hand upon this gang.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)