Main Entry:

com·mu·ni·ty

Pronunciation:

\kə-ˈmyü-nə-tē\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural com·mu·ni·ties

Usage:

often attributive

Etymology:

Middle English comunete, from Anglo-French communité, from Latin communitat-, communitas, from communis

Date:

14th century

1: a unified body of individuals: as a: state, commonwealth b: the people with common interests living in a particular area ; broadly : the area itself <the problems of a large community> c: an interacting population of various kinds of individuals (as species) in a common location d: a group of people with a common characteristic or interest living together within a larger society <a community of retired persons> e: a group linked by a common policy f: a body of persons or nations having a common history or common social, economic, and political interests <the international community> g: a body of persons of common and especially professional interests scattered through a larger society <the academic community> 2: society at large3 a: joint ownership or participation <community of goods> b: common character : likeness <community of interests> c: social activity : fellowship d: a social state or condition