maingroup

Maingroup is a term used in various disciplines to denote the principal or most significant group within a larger set. It is not a standardized term with a single definition, and its exact meaning depends on context. In social science, maingroup is often treated as synonymous with the ingroup—the group with which an individual strongly identifies and to which loyalty is directed. The concept is used to study group bias, alignment, and social preferences, and may be contrasted with the outgroup or with reference groups that influence behavior.

In data analysis or organizational contexts, maingroup can refer to the main subgroup or core team within a broader structure. For example, in a multinational project, the maingroup might denote the core set of members responsible for decisions, distinct from peripheral collaborators or external partners. The term can also appear in discussions of cultural or demographic segmentation to denote the predominant subgroup within a population or dataset.

Etymology and usage notes: maingroup is typically written as one word, but may appear as two words ("main group") or as "ingroup" in related literature. Because the term lacks universal standardization, readers should check field-specific definitions when encountering it. See also ingroup, outgroup, core team, primary subgroup.