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

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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 majority of grant awards will range from $1,000 to $7,500 and be based on the need in the community, the number of people who will benefit from the program and the ability to garner matching funding. — Anchorage Daily News, "Warmer waters threaten to make the commercial salmon fishery less predictable," 17 Sep. 2019 The small, unincorporated, rural community of Galivants Ferry, South Carolina felt like a bustling town center when four Democratic presidential candidates came here Monday. — Lacrai Mitchell, CBS News, "Biden, Buttigieg, Klobuchar and de Blasio court rural voters in South Carolina," 17 Sep. 2019 On a street close to North Point, home to a large pro-Beijing community, a Reuters witness saw one man in a white T-shirt sprawled on the ground with head wounds. — NBC News, "Hong Kong reopens after weekend of clashes, protests," 16 Sep. 2019 Combined with the earlier closures of coal plants in Chicago and several downstate communities, the Vistra shutdowns promise dramatically less pollution that can cause lung damage, heart disease and respiratory ailments. — Michael Hawthorne, chicagotribune.com, "Another Illinois coal plant is closing — the fifth announced in a month," 16 Sep. 2019 Yet even among these communities, the coexistence of gayness and transness was seen as baffling—almost unbelievable. — Jeremy Lybarger, The New Yorker, "Lou Sullivan’s Diaries Are a Radical Testament to Trans Happiness," 16 Sep. 2019 The same principles that drive the disability rights community – autonomy, dignity and respect – are at the heart of the movement for end-of-life options. — Chris Eaton, Twin Cities, "Chris Eaton: My end-of-life bill lets people make decisions about their health care if they can — and it protects those who can’t," 15 Sep. 2019 The news of the attack devastated the community, who Ken said rushed to the family’s aid and donated whatever was needed to make Ryan’s care more comfortable. — Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, "'I thought I'd be ready': Father mourns son's death 10 years after attack put him in coma," 14 Sep. 2019 Police in the state are hired by local communities, the state or the tribes. — Kyle Hopkins, ProPublica, "Justice Department Will Fund More Prosecutors, Jails and Cops in Rural Alaska," 13 Sep. 2019

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.

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Dictionary Entries near community

community antenna television

community center

Statistics for community

Last Updated

30 Oct 2019

Time Traveler for community

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

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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

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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

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