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

Howard has served as a volunteer with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated as a mentor in Oceanside and a fundraiser for the fraternity’s scholarship and mentoring programs and assisted with community outreach and fundraising at the North County African American Women’s Association. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026

Members from all nine historically African-American fraternities and sororities that make up the Divine Nine attended the event. —Eva Remijan-Toba, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026

Perhaps most importantly, fraternities develop tomorrow’s leaders through hands-on experience. —Anthony V. MacK, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026

Members of an Arizona fraternity allegedly instructed pledges to drink from large bottles of vodka the night before a Northern Arizona University student was pronounced dead, court documents say. —Lindsay Good, NBC news, 3 Feb. 2026

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