community

noun, com·mu·ni·ty often attributive \kə-ˈmyü-nə-tē\

: a group of people who live in the same area (such as a city, town, or neighborhood)

: a group of people who have the same interests, religion, race, etc.

: a group of nations

plural com·mu·ni·ties

Full Definition of COMMUNITY

: a unified body of individuals: as

a : state, commonwealth

b : the people with common interests living in a particular area; broadly : the area itself <the problems of a large community>

c : an interacting population of various kinds of individuals (as species) in a common location

d : a group of people with a common characteristic or interest living together within a larger society <a community of retired persons>

e : a group linked by a common policy

f : a body of persons or nations having a common history or common social, economic, and political interests <the international community>

g : a body of persons of common and especially professional interests scattered through a larger society <the academic community>

: society at large

a : joint ownership or participation <community of goods>

b : common character : likeness <community of interests>

c : social activity : fellowship

d : a social state or condition

See community defined for English-language learners

See community defined for kids

Origin of COMMUNITY

Middle English comunete, from Anglo-French communité, from Latin communitat-, communitas, from communis

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to COMMUNITY

Synonyms: neighborhood

Antonyms: difference, disagreement, discrepancy, disparateness, disparity, dissimilarity, dissimilitude, distinctiveness, distinctness, unlikeness

Other Sociology Terms

bourgeois, ethos, eugenics, exurb, incommunicado, intelligentsia, megalopolis, metrosexual, mores, subculture

Rhymes with COMMUNITY

disunity, immunity, impunity

COMMUNITY Defined for Kids

community

noun com·mu·ni·ty \kə-ˈmyü-nə-tē\

plural com·mu·ni·ties

Definition of COMMUNITY for Kids

: the people living in a certain place (as a village or city) : the area itself

: a natural group (as of kinds of plants and animals) living together and depending on one another for various necessities of life (as food or shelter)

: a group of people with common interests <the business community> <a community of artists>

: a feeling of caring about others in a group <The school fosters a sense of community.>

Medical Dictionary

community

noun com·mu·ni·ty \kə-ˈmyü-nət-ē\

plural com·mu·ni·ties

Medical Definition of COMMUNITY

: 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>