A faction is a group of individuals within a larger group who share common interests, beliefs, or goals and often have different opinions or ideas from the rest of the larger group. Factions seek to influence or control decisions and can sometimes cause divisions or conflicts within the larger entity. They can exist in political parties, organizations, or any group setting, often pursuing their own agendas that may differ from the overall group’s direction.

In political contexts, factions are subgroups within a party that have distinct opinions and can sometimes lead to splits or schisms. More generally, a faction can be any subgroup that breaks away or operates with somewhat different views than the main group. They may have their own hierarchy, goals, and beliefs and sometimes are willing to use force to achieve their aims.

In creative writing, the term "faction" can also refer to a blend of fact and fiction, where real events are interwoven with fictional elements to create engaging narratives.

Thus, a faction is primarily understood as a subgroup within a larger group distinguished by shared, often divergent, aims or opinions.