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

Runner’s World reported that fraternities, sororities, bars and other organizations are already reaching out about hosting their own. — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 17 Sep. 2026

Another moment of remarkable fraternity between the two countries unfolded in 1998, when President Bill Clinton flew to Beijing to meet with the Chinese Communist Party’s general secretary, Jiang Zemin. — Orville Schell, Foreign Affairs, 16 Sep. 2026

Blas had been at a function at a fraternity just north of campus that is unaffiliated with the university. — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026

The Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the final resting place of Saint Francis, who founded the Franciscan Order and continually championed peace, fraternity, and care of the natural world. — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 16 Sep. 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