collective

adjective

col·lec·tive | \kə-ˈlek-tiv

Definition of collective

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : denoting a number of persons or things considered as one group or whole flock is a collective word

2a : formed by collecting : aggregated

b of a fruit : multiple

3a : of, relating to, or being a group of individuals

b : involving all members of a group as distinct from its individuals a collective action

4 : marked by similarity among or with the members of a group the collective interests of the town

5 : collectivized or characterized by collectivism collective farming collective communities

6 : shared or assumed by all members of the group collective responsibility the collective opinion of the staff collective guilt

collective

noun

Definition of collective (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : a collective body : group a social collective

2 : a cooperative unit or organization specifically : collective farm

3 : a helicopter control system governing lift

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Examples of collective in a Sentence

Adjective

We made a collective decision to go on strike. The incident became part of our collective memory. the collective wisdom of generations

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

But the European Union’s collective effort to cut the output of greenhouse gases also weighs heavily in the automakers’ plans. — David Mchugh, The Seattle Times, "Climate goals mean Europe will overtake U.S. in electric cars," 2 Oct. 2018 In sum, the collective efforts have led to a whole dossier of troublesome findings in Wansink’s work. — Brian Resnick, Vox, "A top Cornell food researcher has had 13 studies retracted. That’s a lot.," 19 Sep. 2018 The same couldn’t be said for Arizona’s collective effort at the plate. — Bob Mcmanaman, azcentral, "Shelby Miller much better this time out, but Diamondbacks still fall to the Padres," 5 July 2018 Addressing the situation requires a collective effort between funding agencies, regulators, farmers and others, the authors add in the review, published in Science. — Brooke Borel, Scientific American, "Weeds Are Winning the War against Herbicide Resistance," 18 June 2018 Dusk is the time for Ghosts in the Graveyard, and for parents to emerge to talk with other neighbors in a collective effort to shoo the kids inside to wind down before bedtime. — Lynn Petrak, chicagotribune.com, "Petrak: Dusk in summertime brings anticipation of music, fireworks and a cool breeze," 7 June 2018 Sermanni said on the team’s collective defensive effort. — Mike Gramajo, Pro Soccer USA, "Orlando Pride pleased to earn 0-0 road draw with Seattle Reign," 4 June 2018 Senior midfielder Brett Gladstone scored three goals to lead the attack and sophomore Patrick Greene, assigned to Nozemack most of the game, led a collective effort from the close defense with junior goalie Colin Kelley stopping six shots. — Glenn Graham, baltimoresun.com, "Marriotts Ridge boys lacrosse stifles Hereford, claims first state championship with 8-6 win," 24 May 2018 Each was made through the collective effort of several quilters. — Denise Coffey, Courant Community, "Six Veterans Receive Quilts Of Valor," 8 May 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Combining elements of world music with electronic sounds and beats, the London collective hit upon a distinctive, life-affirming sound that brought significant European success and spawned a host of imitators. — Brian Mccollum, Detroit Free Press, "Transglobal Underground's electro-worldbeat to brighten Concert of Colors," 12 July 2018 In 2016 the collective launched the Breathing Room, a monthly open-mike series in North Lawndale intended to amplify the voices of people living in one of Chicago’s most disenfranchised neighborhoods. — Matt Harvey, Chicago Reader, "Chicagoans / Poetry / Race South-side poet Kwynology wants people to fall back in love with Chicago at her open mike," 25 June 2018 And then there’s the women’s collective led by the daughter of disgraced diet gurus, Verena Baptist (Robin Weigert). — Lorraine Ali, latimes.com, "Why Marti Noxon's 'Dietland' is the right show for the #MeToo moment," 4 June 2018 As a result, collectives that serve these patients have either shut their doors or gone underground. — Rachel Swan, San Francisco Chronicle, "Lawmaker seeks to ease tax burden on groups that give free medical cannabis," 24 May 2018 The collective of Top Dawg Entertainment acts also included SZA, ScHoolboy Q and Jay Rock, with little lag time between sets. — Joey Guerra, Houston Chronicle, "Kendrick Lamar, SZA are champions onstage at The Woodlands," 20 May 2018 Chief among them: the local fishermen, who have formed an anti-seal collective. — Amanda Erickson, Washington Post, "Seals are being killed in northern France, and no one knows why," 13 May 2018 So in 2015, Laredo helped found a collective called Otros Dreamers en Acción or Other Dreamers in Action (ODA), to campaign on migrant rights, particularly education, so that others wouldn’t have to go through the same experience. — Oscar Lopez / Mexico City, Time, "These Dreamers Were Deported to Mexico. Now, They're Helping Others Start Again," 9 Mar. 2018 For this year's march, the collective is making its stance on Palestine even more explicit. — Kerry Cardoza, Chicago Reader, "Can the Chicago Dyke March regain its equilibrium after last year’s event became international news?," 13 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'collective.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.