fraternal

adjective fra·ter·nal \ frə-ˈtər-nᵊl \

|Updated on: 13 Jun 2018

Examples: fraternal in a Sentence

Definition of fraternal

1 a : of, relating to, or involving brothers

fraternal love

b : of, relating to, or being a fraternity or society

a fraternal order

a fraternal chapter house

2 : derived from two ova : dizygotic

fraternal twins

3 : friendly, brotherly

There was a fraternal feeling among the troops.

—

fraternalism

play \frə-ˈtər-nə-ˌliz-əm\ noun

—

fraternally

play \frə-ˈtər-nᵊl-ē\ adverb

See fraternal defined for English-language learners

See fraternal defined for kids

Examples of fraternal in a Sentence

He belonged to a fraternal organization.
There was a fraternal feeling among the troops.

Recent Examples of fraternal from the Web

Print subscribers get a password for your existing account here The SA 300 Tricentennial event will include Catholic choirs, families, youth and members of the Knights of Columbus and other fraternal organizations.

— elaine ayala, San Antonio Express-News, "S.A. to mark St. Anthony’s feast day with lighted procession downtown," 7 June 2018
The Land and Sea Sportsmen’s Club was a black fraternal organization run out of a house on Eads Street NE.

— john kelly, Washington Post, "Answer Man goes for a spin at Vista Raceway, a motorcycle track in Maryland," 2 June 2018
It was built in 1908 by the Grand Lodge Colored Knights of Pythias, an African-American fraternal organization, which was a hot meeting place for black residents.

— ann maloney, NOLA.com, "Pythian Market dishes out food from around the world: Opening alert," 1 June 2018
During that period, gay-friendly bars and clubs started being shut down, authorities burned the books at a major research institution devoted to the study of sexuality, and gay fraternal organizations were shuttered.

— olivia b. waxman, Time, "How the Nazi Regime's Pink Triangle Symbol Was Repurposed for LGBTQ Pride," 31 May 2018
The Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal organization, owned the building.

— christina tkacik, baltimoresun.com, "Woodbine resident recalls her role in Catonsville Nine protest," 17 May 2018
The fraternal twins can be found on tennis courts at school, at the Rancho Penasquitos Tennis Club where their dad teaches and other courts all over Southern California.

— terry monahan, Pomerado News, "Twins are double trouble for tennis opponents," 17 May 2018
Ten of those members represented more than 500 years of service to the fraternal organization.

— denise coffey, Courant Community, "Ekonk Community Grange Gives 14 Service Awards," 15 May 2018
The building at 234 Loyola Ave. was constructed in 1908 by the Grand Lodge Colored Knights of Pythias, an African-American fraternal organization.

— todd a. price, NOLA.com, "Pythian Market, a new CBD food hall, opens May 31," 15 May 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of fraternal

Middle English, from Medieval Latin fraternalis, from Latin fraternus, from frater brother — more at brother

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

fraternal Synonyms

Synonyms

brotherly;

Related Words

familial, sisterly;

chummy, friendly, neighborly;

Other Genetics Terms

chimera, hermaphrodite, plasticity

FRATERNAL Defined for English Language Learners

fraternal

adjective

Definition of fraternal for English Language Learners

: of or relating to brothers
: made up of members who share an interest or purpose
: friendly or brotherly

FRATERNAL Defined for Kids

fraternal

adjective fra·ter·nal \ frə-ˈtər-nᵊl \

Definition of fraternal for Students

1 : having to do with brothers

fraternal affection

2 : made up of members banded together like brothers

a fraternal organization

Medical Dictionary

fraternal

adjective fra·ter·nal \ frə-ˈtərn-ᵊl \

medical Definition of fraternal

: derived from two ova : dizygotic

fraternal twins

Learn More about fraternal

See words that rhyme with fraternal Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for fraternal Spanish Central: Translation of fraternal Nglish: Translation of fraternal for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of fraternal for Arabic speakers

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fraternal

Definition of fraternal

fraternalism

fraternally

Examples of fraternal in a Sentence

Recent Examples of fraternal from the Web

Origin and Etymology of fraternal

fraternal Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Other Genetics Terms

Phrases Related to FRATERNAL

Related Phrases

FRATERNAL Defined for English Language Learners

fraternal

Definition of fraternal for English Language Learners

FRATERNAL Defined for Kids

fraternal

Definition of fraternal for Students

Medical Dictionary

fraternal

medical Definition of fraternal

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