community

noun, often attributive

com·mu·ni·ty | \ kə-ˈmyü-nə-tē

plural communities

Definition of community

1 : a unified body of individuals: such as

a : the people with common interests living in a particular area broadly : the area itself the problems of a large community

b : a group of people with a common characteristic or interest living together within a larger society a community of retired persons a monastic community

c : a body of persons of common and especially professional interests scattered through a larger society the academic community the scientific community

d : a body of persons or nations having a common history or common social, economic, and political interests the international community

e : a group linked by a common policy

f : an interacting population of various kinds of individuals (such as species) in a common location

g : state, commonwealth

2a : a social state or condition The school encourages a sense of community in its students.

b : joint ownership or participation community of goods

c : common character : likeness community of interests

d : social activity : fellowship

3 : society at large the interests of the community

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about community

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of community in a Sentence

a respectable member of the community The festival was a great way for the local community to get together. Many communities are facing budget problems. People in the community wanted better police protection.

Recent Examples on the Web

The small-scale arts community in Toronto has become increasingly vibrant and critically engaged. — Mosha Lundström Halbert, Vogue, "The Cool Girl’s Guide to Toronto," 27 Dec. 2018 As the tight-knit community of Newtown, Connecticut, grieved, the nation mourned with them. — Loren Kleinman And Amye Archer, Marie Claire, "I’m a Survivor of Sandy Hook. This Is What The Past Six Years Have Been Like.," 14 Dec. 2018 De Choudhury recommended showing users communities of people in recovery. — Brittney Mcnamara, Teen Vogue, "Instagram Plans to Strengthen Ban on Pro-Eating Disorder Content," 12 Dec. 2018 Some of the world’s most spectacular synagogues were built by lesser-known Sephardi Jewish communities in Greece, North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. — Leslie Camhi, ELLE Decor, "Inside the World's Most Beautiful Synagogues," 5 Nov. 2018 Turin’s idea remains contentious — his experimental data have divided the interdisciplinary community of olfactory researchers. — Tim Folger, Discover Magazine, "How Quantum Mechanics Lets Us See, Smell and Touch," 24 Oct. 2018 Gelling down one's baby hairs into swooping patterns is a style staple of certain communities of color, particularly amongst some black and latinx folks. — Leah Prinzivalli, Allure, "Jennifer Lopez Shows Off Her "Bronx Barbie" Look and Baby Hair on Instagram," 8 Oct. 2018 Today, Hough, now 30, is an outspoken advocate for the endometriosis community. — Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, "Julianne Hough on How Endometriosis Helped Her Step Into Her Power," 21 Dec. 2018 Families affected by violence spoke while community groups, members of the Prince's Trust, and others listened. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "Prince Charles, Prince Harry, and Tom Hardy Hear from Victims of Violent Crime," 12 Dec. 2018

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

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about community

Dictionary Entries near community

community antenna television

community center

Statistics for community

Last Updated

9 Jan 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for community

The first known use of community was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for community

community

noun

English Language Learners Definition of community

: a group of people who live in the same area (such as a city, town, or neighborhood)

: a group of people who have the same interests, religion, race, etc.

: a group of nations

See the full definition for community in the English Language Learners Dictionary

community

noun

com·mu·ni·ty | \ kə-ˈmyü-nə-tē

plural communities

Kids Definition of community

1 : the people living in a certain place (as a village or city) : the area itself

2 : a natural group (as of kinds of plants and animals) living together and depending on one another for various necessities of life (as food or shelter)

3 : a group of people with common interests the business community a community of artists

4 : a feeling of caring about others in a group The school fosters a sense of community.

community

noun

com·mu·ni·ty | \ kə-ˈmyü-nət-ē

plural communities

Medical Definition of community

: a unified body of individuals: as

a : the people with common interests living in a particular area broadly : the area itself the problems of a large community

b : an interacting population of various kinds of individuals (as species) in a common location

c : a group of people with a common characteristic or interest living together within a larger society a community of retired persons

Keep scrolling for more

community

noun

com·mu·ni·ty

plural communities

Legal Definition of community

1 : the people who live in a particular place or region and usually are linked by some common interests

2a : the mass of community property owned by a husband and wife a spouse may not…lease to a third person his undivided interest in the community or in particular things of the community — Louisiana Civil Code

b : the entity created upon the marriage of a husband and wife for the purposes of ownership of property in community property states — see also community property at property, regime