community

noun

com·​mu·​ni·​ty kə-ˈmyü-nə-tē How to pronounce community (audio)
plural communities
often attributive
1
: a unified body of individuals: such as
a
: the people with common interests living in a particular area
broadly : the area itself
the problems of a large community
b
: a group of people with a common characteristic or interest living together within a larger society
a community of retired persons
a monastic community
c
: a body of persons of common and especially professional interests scattered through a larger society
the academic community
the scientific community
d
: a body of persons or nations having a common history or common social, economic, and political interests
the international community
e
: a group linked by a common policy
f
: an interacting population of various kinds of individuals (such as species) in a common location
2
a
: a social state or condition
The school encourages a sense of community in its students.
b
: joint ownership or participation
community of goods
c
: common character : likeness
community of interests
d
: social activity : fellowship
3
: society at large
the interests of the community

Examples of community in a Sentence

a respectable member of the community The festival was a great way for the local community to get together. Many communities are facing budget problems. People in the community wanted better police protection.
Recent Examples on the Web As America’s Cyber Defense Agency, CISA serves a foundational role in the global cybersecurity community, but true and lasting security in cyberspace can only be achieved collaboratively. Eric Herzog, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024 Only a third of Cook County residents say that public transportation should be expanded or updated in their communities, while 1 in 5 say local government should prioritize investments in mass transit over roads and highways — with more city residents (25%) wanting it than suburban residents (14%). Will Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 17 Oct. 2024 There are some alternatives kids are sure to love, and some do a good deed in the community. Sarah Scott, Parents, 17 Oct. 2024 Apart from the usual big-ticket draws of the film, TV and comic-book-centric Main and Empire Stage panels, Rogers points to some under-the-radar aspects of the show that are new for this year, but sure to be a hit with the large cosplay community that attends the con. Jennifer Maas, Variety, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for community 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'community.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English comunete, from Anglo-French communité, from Latin communitat-, communitas, from communis — see common entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of community was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near community

Cite this Entry

“Community.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/community. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

community

noun
com·​mu·​ni·​ty kə-ˈmyü-nət-ē How to pronounce community (audio)
plural communities
1
a
: the people living in an area
also : the area itself
b
: a group of living things that belong to one or more species, interact ecologically, and are located in one place (as a bog or pond)
c
: a group of people with common interests especially when living together
a community of monks
2
a
: shared ownership or participation
community of goods
b
: similarity sense 1, likeness
a community of ideas
c
: shared activity : fellowship

Medical Definition

community

noun
com·​mu·​ni·​ty kə-ˈmyü-nət-ē How to pronounce community (audio)
plural communities
: a unified body of individuals: as
a
: the people with common interests living in a particular area
broadly : the area itself
the problems of a large community
b
: an interacting population of various kinds of individuals (as species) in a common location
c
: a group of people with a common characteristic or interest living together within a larger society
a community of retired persons

Legal Definition

community

noun
com·​mu·​ni·​ty
plural communities
1
: the people who live in a particular place or region and usually are linked by some common interests
2
a
: the mass of community property owned by a husband and wife
a spouse may not…lease to a third person his undivided interest in the community or in particular things of the communityLouisiana Civil Code
b
: the entity created upon the marriage of a husband and wife for the purposes of ownership of property in community property states see also community property at property, regime

More from Merriam-Webster on community

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