community

noun

com·​mu·​ni·​ty kə-ˈmyü-nə-tē How to pronounce community (audio)
plural communities
often attributive
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
2
a
: 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

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

Dictionary Entries Near community

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

community

noun
com·​mu·​ni·​ty kə-ˈmyü-nət-ē How to pronounce community (audio)
plural communities
1
a
: the people living in an area
also : the area itself
b
: 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)
c
: a group of people with common interests especially when living together
a community of monks
2
a
: shared ownership or participation
community of goods
b
: similarity sense 1, likeness
a community of ideas
c
: shared activity : fellowship

Medical Definition

community

noun
com·​mu·​ni·​ty kə-ˈmyü-nət-ē How to pronounce community (audio)
plural communities
: 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

Legal Definition

community

noun
com·​mu·​ni·​ty
plural communities
1
: the people who live in a particular place or region and usually are linked by some common interests
2
a
: 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 communityLouisiana 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

More from Merriam-Webster on community

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!


Challenging Standardized Test Words, Vol. 2

  • a pencil broken in half on top of a test answer sheet
  • The business’s new computer system proved not to be a panacea.
Name That Thing

You know what it looks like… but what is it called?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY