caucus

A meeting of members of a political party or faction to select candidates, plan strategy, or make decisions; a group within a legislative body that acts together on shared interests.

• caucusing(v/n)

• party caucus
• congressional caucus
• caucus meeting
• hold a caucus
• caucus with
• Black Caucus
• freedom caucus

1. 1.Iowa's caucuses — where party members physically gather in rooms to show support for candidates — traditionally launched the US presidential primary season. (political meeting)
2. 2.The Congressional Black Caucus has been a powerful voice for civil rights legislation in the US House of Representatives since 1971. (interest-based legislative group)

• assembly/əˈsɛmbli/— a gathering
• conclave/ˈkɒnkleɪv/— a private meeting
• faction/ˈfækʃən/— a group within a party

possibly from Algonquian "caucauasu" (one who advises) — or from "caulkers' meetings" in colonial Boston — origin debated, but uniquely American