a secret organization of criminals, that is active especially in Sicily, Italy and the US
Example:
- a Mafia boss
- Large areas of the city were controlled by the Mafia.
- The Mafia was/were still in control at that time.
an organized group of criminals similar to the Mafia in the way it operates
Example:
- the rise of criminal mafias in various parts of Europe
a group of people within an organization or a community who use their power to get advantages for themselves
Example:
- a member of the local mafia
- Politics is still dominated by the middle-class mafia.