group (periodic table) – the vertical columns of the periodic table

Note: Elements with similar properties are in the same group.

If you were to label a periodic table, groups would be along the top.

To remember that groups run along the top of the table use the following mnemonic: 

The heavy metal group ran across the top of the tables.

In elementary chemistry there are 8 groups or columns in the periodic table. There are more columns than that but in naming the groups chemists ignore the transition metals.

For more information, see groups and periods in Mammoth Memory.