fraternity

noun

fra·​ter·​ni·​ty frə-ˈtər-nə-tē 

plural fraternities

1

: a group of people associated or formally organized for a common purpose, interest, or pleasure: such as

a

: a fraternal order

b

: guild sense 1

c

: a men's student organization formed chiefly for social purposes having secret rites and a name consisting of Greek letters

d

: a student organization for scholastic, professional, or extracurricular activities

a debating fraternity

2

: the quality or state of being brothers : brotherliness

3

: persons of the same class, profession, character, or tastes

the racetrack fraternity

Synonyms of fraternity

• organization
• association
• institution
• brotherhood
• society
• institute
• chamber

Examples of fraternity in a Sentence

an atmosphere of fraternity and cooperation

a firm believer in community service and a dedicated member of the local fraternity of Good Samaritans

Recent Examples on the Web

Volunteers assisting the shoppers came from churches, sororities, fraternities, city commissioners, a county commissioner, and businesses like CBS News Miami. —Larry Seward, CBS News, 13 Dec. 2025

When Ferrell's eldest was attending his alma mater — the University of Southern California — the actor made headlines DJing a Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity tailgate during Trojan Family Weekend. —Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 11 Dec. 2025

The fraternity will remain suspended while the investigation proceeds. —Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 7 Dec. 2025

On the day of the shooting, a fraternity hosted a party at Community Park off campus that drew hundreds of people. —Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 5 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing fraternity

• inter-fraternity

Rhymes for fraternity

• eternity
• maternity
• modernity
• paternity
• confraternity
• taciturnity

Kids Definition

fraternity

noun

fra·​ter·​ni·​ty frə-ˈtər-nət-ē 

plural fraternities

1

: a social, honorary, or professional organization

especially : a social club of male college students

2

: brotherhood sense 1, brotherliness