group

noun, often attributive \ ˈgrüp \

Definition of group

1 :two or more figures forming a complete unit in a composition

went there as a group

2 a :a number of individuals assembled together or having some unifying relationship

a study group

b :an assemblage of objects regarded as a unit

one of the food groups

c (1) :a military unit consisting of a headquarters and attached battalions

(2) :a unit of the U.S. Air Force higher than a squadron and lower than a wing

3 a :an assemblage of related organisms —often used to avoid taxonomic connotations when the kind or degree of relationship is not clearly defined

b (1) :two or more atoms joined together or sometimes a single atom forming part of a molecule; especially :functional group

a methyl group

(2) :an assemblage of elements forming one of the vertical columns of the periodic table

c :a bed or layer of rocks deposited during an era

4 :a mathematical set that is closed under a binary associative operation, contains an identity element, and has an inverse for every element

See group defined for English-language learners

See group defined for kids

Examples of group in a Sentence

It'll be easier if we go there as a group.
She presented the idea to the group.
We like to let these students work in groups whenever possible.
She belongs to an environmental group.
She joined a discussion group.
A select group of scientists has been invited to the conference.

Recent Examples of group from the Web

Andy Shubin was among the lawyers objecting to Parks Miller’s references to the defendants as a group.

— mark scolforo, The Seattle Times, "Frat members seek dismissal in Penn State pledge death case," 30 Aug. 2017
Additionally, several industry groups, including the National Association of Home Builders and the National Apartment Association, had expressed concern about the rule when asked to weigh in about existing regulations, HUD said.

— alana semuels, The Atlantic, "Trump Administration Puts on Hold an Obama-Era Desegregation Effort," 30 Aug. 2017
So including former rebel groups in these elections allows for outside intervention without the use of force.

— aila m. matanock, Washington Post, "The FARC just became a Colombian political party. Here’s why elections are critical to a lasting peace.," 30 Aug. 2017
This is a special group of young men, who going into their fourth season together, have created a strong bond.

— randy mcroberts, The Aegis, "2017 high school football preview," 30 Aug. 2017
And, to give you a chance to show your love for our coastline,environmental group Heal the Bay is gathering thousands of locals to clean up during the largest single-day volunteer event on the planet.

— brittany martin, Los Angeles Magazine, "L.A.’s Largest Beach-Cleaning Day Ever Is Coming up—and You Can Volunteer to Help," 29 Aug. 2017
The Gators ranked last in the Southeastern Conference with 128 rushing yards per game last season, so while an improved offensive line should help, the group has something to prove.

— ethan bauer, miamiherald, "The 2017 Florida Gators: Position by position," 29 Aug. 2017
Proceeds from the show will be split between the Bê Sînor-Sinatex Cultural Center and KC for Refugees, a local group that works with refugees who have been settled here in Kansas City.

— anne kniggendorf,, kansascity, "September First Friday gallery guide: 16 shows in the Crossroads and beyond," 29 Aug. 2017
A negative response led to gunfire between the two groups, and after the opposition set fire to surrounding buildings and finally Neville’s home, his camp surrendered.

— carrie hagen, Smithsonian, "The First Presidential Pardon Pitted Alexander Hamilton Against George Washington," 29 Aug. 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of group

French groupe, from Italian gruppo, by-form of groppo knot, tangle, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German kropf craw — more at crop

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1668

See Words from the same year

group Synonyms

Synonyms

array, assemblage, band, bank, batch, battery, block, bunch, clot, clump, cluster, clutch, collection, constellation, grouping, huddle, knot, lot, muster, package, parcel, passel, set, suite, the whole kit and caboodle, the whole kit and caboodle

Related Words

accumulation, aggregate, aggregation, conglomeration; agglomeration, assortment, hodgepodge, jumble, miscellany, mixture, odds and ends, sundries, variety; cycle, run, series, suit

Near Antonyms

entity, item, single, unit

group

verb

Definition of group

transitive verb

1 :to combine in a group

grouped English and Dutch as Germanic languages

2 :to assign to a group :classify

The children were grouped by age.

intransitive verb

1 :to form a group

The students grouped around the table.

2 :to belong to a group

3 :to make groups of closely spaced hits on a target

the gun grouped beautifully
—R. C. Ruark

—

groupable

play \ˈgrü-pə-bəl\ adjective

See group defined for English-language learners

Examples of group in a Sentence

you should first group the invertebrates by genus
group the kids together and we'll see who's missing

Recent Examples of group from the Web

Auburn's secondary was also working on grouping during the early portion of practice.

— tom green, AL.com, "Auburn practice observations: An early shakeup on the offensive line, 1st look at special teams," 2 Aug. 2017
They were grouped with inside linebackers coach Cort Dennison all spring.)

— steve jones, The Courier-Journal, "2017 Louisville football preseason depth chart | Takeaways from the media guide," 13 July 2017
Martinez said after the meeting that grouping those units on a few floors makes sense both economically and culturally, since view units usually command higher rents and low-income renters might prefer living near each other.

— roger showley, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Downtown design deviations? Lighted spire, red frame, screened parking," 12 July 2017
Their speculations differed wildly, grouping the extinct beasts with animals as varied as elephants and aardvarks or camels and hippos.

— steph yin, New York Times, "Strange Mammals That Stumped Darwin Finally Find a Home," 3 July 2017
The very earliest whales – grouped together as archaeocetes – had teeth.

— brian switek, Scientific American Blog Network, "New Fossil Fills in Missing Moment in Baleen Whale History," 14 June 2017
He was grouped with Steve Stricker and Stewart Cink, two of the more compelling qualifiers for Erin Hills.

— doug ferguson, The Denver Post, "USGA allows alternates to play practice rounds at Erin Hills," 8 June 2017
The postseason realignment affected every team, either directly or indirectly, with the sports of football, boys’ water polo, girls’ volleyball and girls’ tennis being grouped by a formula attempting to promote playoff equity.

— andrew j. campa, Glendale News-Press, "Fall realignment leaves less change than first time around," 8 June 2017
They were grouped according to income level: high, middle or at or below the federal poverty level — $24,600 annual income for a family of four.

— steve reinberg, CBS News, "Heart disease advances haven't reached America's poor," 7 June 2017

Origin and Etymology of group

see ¹group

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1706

See Words from the same year

group Synonyms

Synonyms

assort, break down, categorize, class, codify, compartment, compartmentalize, digest, distinguish, distribute, grade, classify, peg, place, range, rank, relegate, separate, sort, type

Antonyms

dispel, disperse, dissipate, scatter

Related Words

array, dispose, draw up, marshal (also marshall), order, organize, systematize; alphabetize, catalog (or catalogue), file, index, list, refer; pigeonhole, shelve; identify, recognize; cull, screen, set, sieve, sift, winnow; clump, cluster, colligate; recategorize, reclassify, regroup; subcategorize

Near Antonyms

confuse, disarrange, jumble, lump, mix (up), scramble; misclassify, missort, mistype

GROUP Defined for Kids

group

noun \ ˈgrüp \

Definition of group for Students

1 :a number of persons or things considered as a unit

2 :a number of persons or things that are considered related in some way

an age group

a food group

3 :a small band

a rock group

group

verb

Definition of group for Students

grouped; grouping

:to arrange in, put into, or form a unit or group

Medical Dictionary

group

noun, often attributive \ ˈgrüp \

medical Definition of group

1 :a number of individuals assembled together or having some unifying relationship

2 a :an assemblage of related organisms —often used to avoid taxonomic connotations when the kind or degree of relationship is not clearly defined

b (1) :an assemblage of atoms forming part of a molecule; especially :functional group

(2) :an assemblage of elements forming one of the vertical columns of the periodic table

Learn More about group

See words that rhyme with group Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for group Spanish Central: Translation of group Nglish: Translation of group for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of group for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about group

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up group? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

group

Definition of group

From the M-W Editors

Examples of group in a Sentence

Recent Examples of group from the Web

Origin and Etymology of group

group Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

group

Definition of group

groupable

Examples of group in a Sentence

Recent Examples of group from the Web

Origin and Etymology of group

group Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Phrases Related to GROUP

Related Phrases

GROUP Defined for Kids

group

Definition of group for Students

group

Definition of group for Students

Medical Dictionary

group

medical Definition of group

Learn More about group

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Learned Fools: On Names for Students

Trending: NY Times: Trump's Call Ignites 'Imbroglio'

The Exceptions Quiz III

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Words of the Year: 1066