fraternity

noun

fra·​ter·​ni·​ty frə-ˈtər-nə-tē 

plural fraternities

1

: a group of people associated or formally organized for a common purpose, interest, or pleasure: such as

a

: a fraternal order

b

: guild sense 1

c

: a men's student organization formed chiefly for social purposes having secret rites and a name consisting of Greek letters

d

: a student organization for scholastic, professional, or extracurricular activities

a debating fraternity

2

: the quality or state of being brothers : brotherliness

3

: persons of the same class, profession, character, or tastes

the racetrack fraternity

Synonyms of fraternity

• organization
• association
• institution
• brotherhood
• society
• institute
• chamber

Examples of fraternity in a Sentence

an atmosphere of fraternity and cooperation

a firm believer in community service and a dedicated member of the local fraternity of Good Samaritans

Recent Examples on the Web

And more than 90 organizations, including unions, Black fraternities and sororities and voting rights groups, have signed on as official partners. — Tia Mitchell, AJC.com, 25 Aug. 2026

Years later, in the wake of an alleged fraternity-run drug ring involving a dozen former and current students, his parents are still pushing for accountability and change. — Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 23 Aug. 2026

Sometimes as part of an initiation ritual, pledges would allegedly cut and bag the cocaine in the fraternity houses before it was sold to other students. — Forbestv, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Maybe that’s why seeing Ryan win makes those of us in this crazy fraternity of sports writers and broadcasters feel a little proud. — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing fraternity

• inter-fraternity

Rhymes for fraternity

• eternity
• maternity
• modernity
• paternity
• confraternity
• taciturnity

Kids Definition

fraternity

noun

fra·​ter·​ni·​ty frə-ˈtər-nət-ē 

plural fraternities

1

: a social, honorary, or professional organization

especially : a social club of male college students

2

: brotherhood sense 1, brotherliness