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 The hope is that someone in the community will overcome the fear of retaliation over what could be seen as snitching and talk with police to bring closure to the family, Allison said. —

Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 18 Jan. 2023 Moreover, if the proportion of unvaccinated individuals increases in a community, this also puts others at risk. —

Katia Hetter, CNN, 18 Jan. 2023 Yet there continue to be mixed feelings in the community. —

Zayna Syed, The Arizona Republic, 17 Jan. 2023 Gee is active in the community, working as an advocate for illnesses by serving on the Brain Injury Association of Kentucky Board, as well as nonprofits throughout the city. —

Rae Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 17 Jan. 2023 This isn’t an organization that has been a staple in the community for so long. —

Alexa Gagosz, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Jan. 2023 What’s been challenging about your work in the community? —

San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2023 That kind of language might motivate a manager to be fair, Mr. Cialdini said, because people want to be consistent with their image in the community. —

Paulette Perhach, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2023 Nominations are accepted from anyone in the community. —

Cincinnati Enquirer Staff, The Enquirer, 13 Jan. 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 28 Jan. 2023.

Copy Citation

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