political action committee

/pəˌlɪdəkəl ˌækʃən kəˌmɪdi/

Other forms: political action committees

A political action committee is a group that raises money and distributes it to political campaigns. Political action committees make it possible for corporations to contribute indirectly to candidates.

In addition to campaigns, political action committees, commonly known as PACs, also contribute money to legislation and ballot initiatives. Certain groups, including businesses and labor unions, aren't allowed to donate to political campaigns — but PACs allow them to do this indirectly. Since the first political action committee was formed in 1943, they have become one of the most common sources of funding for politicians running for office.

Definitions of political action committee

1. noun

   committee formed by a special-interest group to raise money for their favorite political candidates
   type of:

   commission, committee

   a special group delegated to consider some matter