community

noun

com·mu·ni·ty kə-ˈmyü-nə-tē

plural communities

often attributive

Synonyms of community next

: a unified body of individuals: such as

: the people with common interests living in a particular area

broadly : the area itself

the problems of a large community

: a group of people with a common characteristic or interest living together within a larger society

a community of retired persons

a monastic community

: a body of persons of common and especially professional interests scattered through a larger society

the academic community

the scientific community

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

the international community

: a group linked by a common policy

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

: state, commonwealth

: a social state or condition

The school encourages a sense of community in its students.

: joint ownership or participation

community of goods

: common character : likeness

community of interests

: social activity : fellowship

: society at large

the interests of the community

Example Sentences

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 As Christopher Marquis writes, businesses can take more responsibility for community and the world. —

Chloe Sorvino, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2023 The need for community would never be satisfied by cocooning at home. —

Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Mar. 2023 Opening up the mountain to skiers of all abilities can be inspirational for the whole community. —

oregonlive, 16 Mar. 2023 While Pope Francis has advocated for greater tolerance, especially for the LGBTQ community, Tobin has promoted the kind of judgmental, dogmatic Catholicism that has been fading since Vatican II. —

Globe Columnist, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Mar. 2023 Since her first term in office, Whitmer has called for lawmakers to expand the state's civil rights law to include protections for Michigan's LGBTQ community. —

Detroit Free Press, 16 Mar. 2023 The focus on me has overshadowed we, but fall 2023’s new preoccupation with uniforms, office attire, and bridal wear suggests a longing for community and ritual. —

Laird Borrelli-persson, Vogue, 15 Mar. 2023 The 2022 edition of Aftershock drew 160,000 fans and generated nearly $30 million for the local community, according to organizers. —

Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 14 Mar. 2023 Two of the films stars made history Sunday night for the Asian community at the Academy Awards after Michelle Yeoh won the best actress Oscar and Ke Huy Quan snagged best supporting actor. —

Lisa Respers France, CNN, 13 Mar. 2023 See More

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.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English comunete, from Anglo-French communité, from Latin communitat-, communitas, from communis — see common entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

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

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Community.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/community. Accessed 29 Mar. 2023.

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Kids Definition

community

noun

com·mu·ni·ty kə-ˈmyü-nət-ē

plural communities

: the people living in an area

also : the area itself

: a group of living things that belong to one or more species, interact ecologically, and are located in one place (as a bog or pond)

: a group of people with common interests especially when living together

a community of monks

: shared ownership or participation

community of goods

: similarity sense 1, likeness

a community of ideas

: shared activity : fellowship

Medical Definition

community

noun

com·mu·ni·ty kə-ˈmyü-nət-ē

plural communities

: a unified body of individuals: as

: the people with common interests living in a particular area

broadly : the area itself

the problems of a large community

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

: a group of people with a common characteristic or interest living together within a larger society

a community of retired persons

Legal Definition

community

noun

com·mu·ni·ty

plural communities

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

: 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

: 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