often attributive
1
: a number of individuals assembled together or having some unifying relationship or action
a study group
went there as a group
walking in groups
was speaking to a group
specifically
: a number of musicians who play together regularly
2
a
: two or more figures (such as in sculpture or painting) forming a complete unit in a larger composition
b
: an assemblage of objects regarded as a unit
one of the food groups
c(1)
: a military unit consisting of a headquarters and attached battalions
(2)
: a unit of the U.S. Air Force higher than a squadron and lower than a wing
3
a
: an assemblage of related organisms
—often used to avoid taxonomic connotations when the kind or degree of relationship is not clearly defined
b(1)
: two or more atoms joined together or sometimes a single atom forming part of a molecule
(2)
: an assemblage of elements forming one of the vertical columns of the periodic table
c
: a bed or layer of rocks deposited during an era
4
: a mathematical set that is closed under a binary associative operation, contains an identity element, and has an inverse for every element
grouped; grouping; groups
1
: to combine in a group
grouped English and Dutch as Germanic languages
2
: to assign to a group : classify
The children were grouped by age.
1
: to form a group
The students grouped around the table.
2
: to belong to a group
3
: to make groups of closely spaced hits on a target
The gun grouped beautifully …—
R. C. Ruark
R. C. RuarkExamples of group in a Sentence
Noun
It'll be easier if we go there as a group.
She presented the idea to the group.
We like to let these students work in groups whenever possible.
She belongs to an environmental group.
She joined a discussion group.
A select group of scientists has been invited to the conference.
Verb
you should first group the invertebrates by genus
group the kids together and we'll see who's missing
Recent Examples on the Web
Alex Brizee
march 5, Idaho Statesman, 6 Mar. 2026
That group is headed by Eric Holder, who served as Obama's attorney general.
—Meg Kinnard The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 6 Mar. 2026
Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2026
Why Fiberlayering Is Better Than Fibermaxxing Fiber is often grouped as soluble, insoluble, and resistant starch.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for group
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Idaho State Police, with assistance from local authorities, as well as search and rescue groups, excavated the backyard over several days — starting in a small spot near the fence line, and eventually removing and sifting dirt from the entire area.
—Alex Brizee
march 5, Idaho Statesman, 6 Mar. 2026
That group is headed by Eric Holder, who served as Obama's attorney general.
—Meg Kinnard The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 6 Mar. 2026
Verb
Unlike previous years in which attendees raised a hand and asked their questions one by one, this year the questions were submitted in writing and grouped by topic — such as budget, public safety and infrastructure — to be answered by category.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2026
Why Fiberlayering Is Better Than Fibermaxxing Fiber is often grouped as soluble, insoluble, and resistant starch.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for group
Cite this Entry
“Group.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/group. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
group
2 of 2 verb
: to arrange or combine in a group
group children by ages
Medical Definition
group
nounoften attributive
1
: a number of individuals assembled together or having some unifying relationship
2
a
: an assemblage of related organisms
—often used to avoid taxonomic connotations when the kind or degree of relationship is not clearly defined
b(1)
: an assemblage of atoms forming part of a molecule
especially
: functional group
(2)
: an assemblage of elements forming one of the vertical columns of the periodic table
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
