sodality

noun

so·​dal·​i·​ty sō-ˈda-lə-tē 

plural sodalities

1

: brotherhood, community

2

: an organized society or fellowship

specifically : a devotional or charitable association of Roman Catholic laity

Synonyms

• association
• board
• brotherhood
• chamber
• club
• college
• congress
• consortium
• council
• fellowship
• fraternity
• guild
• gild
• institute
• institution
• league
• order
• organization
• society

Example Sentences

a 19th-century observer of American society noted that Americans had a fondness for forming sodalities

a tragic loss of life that was felt throughout the sodality of firefighters

Recent Examples on the Web

How big this sodality is has never been entirely clear. —Wired, 14 July 2022

Festivities begin at 10 a.m. with the procession through the streets of Melrose Park featuring the statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Italian sodalities and family candle. —Pioneer Press, chicagotribune.com, 22 May 2017

Word History

Etymology

Latin sodalitat-, sodalitas comradeship, club, from sodalis comrade — more at sib

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

sodality

noun

so·​dal·​i·​ty sō-ˈdal-ət-ē 

plural sodalities

: an organized society or fellowship

especially : a Roman Catholic association for the purposes of devotion or charity