always used before a noun
: shared or done by a group of people : involving all members of a group
We made a collective decision to go on strike.
The incident became part of our collective memory.
a collective effort
the collective wisdom of generations
a collective noun [=a noun like "team" or "flock" that refers to a group of people or things]
plural collectives
: a business or organization that is owned by the people who work there
also
: the people who own such a business or organization
Cite this Entry
“Collective.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/collective. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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