fel·low·ship
ˈfe-lə-ˌship 
-lō-
1
: companionship, company
looking for the fellowship of friendly people
2
a
: community of interest, activity, feeling, or experience
their fellowship in crime—
A. J. Ayer
A. J. Ayer
b
: the state of being a fellow or associate
3
: a company of equals or friends : association
a youth fellowship
4
: the quality or state of being comradely
meaningful communication for building trust and fellowship
5
obsolete
: membership, partnership
6
a
: the position of a fellow (as of a university)
applied for a research fellowship in physics
b
: the stipend of a fellow
c
: a foundation for the providing of such a stipend
fellowshipped also fellowshiped
ˈfe-lə-ˌshipt
-lō-
; fellowshipping also fellowshiping
ˈfe-lə-ˌshi-piŋ
-lō-
: to join in fellowship especially with a church member
: to admit to fellowship (as in a church)
Examples of fellowship in a Sentence
Noun
traditions that bind us together in fellowship
members of a law firm who violated just about every ethical principle that the legal fellowship holds dear
Recent Examples on the WebAmanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2024
Elyse Jenkins Prescott, Ohio deputy director of Red Wine & Blue, who recently completed a fellowship learning program with School Board School in Cincinnati.
—The Enquirer, 1 Apr. 2024
Their three-pillar approach to the idea’s longevity encompasses assisting current athletes, supporting former players through a co-op program, and developing a fellowship.
—Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
One such effort began in 2021, when William Merrill, now a graduate student at New York University, was leaving a two-year fellowship at the Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Seattle.
—Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 21 Mar. 2024
Since 2002, the symposium has generated more than $4.8 million for scholarships, fellowships and other educational opportunities in the San Diego-Baja region.
—Dean Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2024
During the fellowship’s second creative retreat in Camden each fellow will participate in a four day editing residency.
—Addie Morfoot, Variety, 7 Mar. 2024
After finishing a fellowship, Dr. Alison Bell wanted a fresh start at a different facility.
—Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Four documentary filmmakers have been selected to participate in Yeti’s inaugural Pretty Wild fellowship program, which supports documentaries that give a fresh perspective on the outdoors and the people and stories that live there.
—Addie Morfoot, Variety, 7 Mar. 2024
Nikole Hannah-Jones, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024
Already, several large law firms and banking giants have either cut or expanded their diversity fellowships after threats of legal action.
—Byruth Umoh, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2024
Pfizer and two law firms, Morrison Foerster and Perkins Coie, opened their diversity fellowships last year to students of all races, after lawsuits against them alleged racial discrimination.
—Steve Lohr, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2024
Blum’s group has also found success targeting major law firms over their diversity fellowships: Three big law firms — Perkins Coie, Morrison Foerster and Winston & Strawn — opened their fellowships for students of color to applicants of all races and backgrounds after being sued.
—Taylor Telford, Washington Post, 18 Feb. 2024
Those firms have all since opened their diversity fellowships to applicants of all races and backgrounds, and Mr. Blum’s group dropped the suits.
—Emma Goldberg, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2024
Soon after, white-shoe law firms like Morrison Foerster and Perkins Coie dialed back their diversity fellowships after being sued by conservative activist Edward Blum, the driving force in the Harvard case.
—Taylor Telford, Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2024
After Blum’s group, the American Alliance for Equal Rights in August sued the Perkins Coie and Morrison Foerster law firms, both opened their diversity fellowships to law students from all backgrounds.
—Julian Mark, Washington Post, 6 Nov. 2023
All challenge the use of racial preferences, whether in deciding who to hire, selecting contractors or awarding fellowships.
—Julian Mark, Washington Post, 6 Nov. 2023
Noun
This story was produced with financial support from individuals and Berkowitz Contemporary Arts in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners, as part of an independent journalism fellowship program.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2024
Elyse Jenkins Prescott, Ohio deputy director of Red Wine & Blue, who recently completed a fellowship learning program with School Board School in Cincinnati.
—The Enquirer, 1 Apr. 2024
Their three-pillar approach to the idea’s longevity encompasses assisting current athletes, supporting former players through a co-op program, and developing a fellowship.
—Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
One such effort began in 2021, when William Merrill, now a graduate student at New York University, was leaving a two-year fellowship at the Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Seattle.
—Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 21 Mar. 2024
Since 2002, the symposium has generated more than $4.8 million for scholarships, fellowships and other educational opportunities in the San Diego-Baja region.
—Dean Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2024
During the fellowship’s second creative retreat in Camden each fellow will participate in a four day editing residency.
—Addie Morfoot, Variety, 7 Mar. 2024
After finishing a fellowship, Dr. Alison Bell wanted a fresh start at a different facility.
—Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Four documentary filmmakers have been selected to participate in Yeti’s inaugural Pretty Wild fellowship program, which supports documentaries that give a fresh perspective on the outdoors and the people and stories that live there.
—Addie Morfoot, Variety, 7 Mar. 2024
Verb
Since the decision, conservative groups have filed and threatened lawsuits against a range of programs that consider race, from diversity fellowships at law firms to maternal-health programs.
—Nikole Hannah-Jones, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024
Already, several large law firms and banking giants have either cut or expanded their diversity fellowships after threats of legal action.
—Byruth Umoh, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2024
Pfizer and two law firms, Morrison Foerster and Perkins Coie, opened their diversity fellowships last year to students of all races, after lawsuits against them alleged racial discrimination.
—Steve Lohr, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2024
Blum’s group has also found success targeting major law firms over their diversity fellowships: Three big law firms — Perkins Coie, Morrison Foerster and Winston & Strawn — opened their fellowships for students of color to applicants of all races and backgrounds after being sued.
—Taylor Telford, Washington Post, 18 Feb. 2024
Those firms have all since opened their diversity fellowships to applicants of all races and backgrounds, and Mr. Blum’s group dropped the suits.
—Emma Goldberg, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2024
Soon after, white-shoe law firms like Morrison Foerster and Perkins Coie dialed back their diversity fellowships after being sued by conservative activist Edward Blum, the driving force in the Harvard case.
—Taylor Telford, Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2024
After Blum’s group, the American Alliance for Equal Rights in August sued the Perkins Coie and Morrison Foerster law firms, both opened their diversity fellowships to law students from all backgrounds.
—Julian Mark, Washington Post, 6 Nov. 2023
All challenge the use of racial preferences, whether in deciding who to hire, selecting contractors or awarding fellowships.
—Julian Mark, Washington Post, 6 Nov. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fellowship.' 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
Noun
Middle English felaweschipe, going back to Old English fēolagscipe, from fēolaga fellow + -scipe -ship
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense
Time Traveler
The first known use of fellowship was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing fellowship
Articles Related to fellowship
Dictionary Entries Near fellowship
Cite this Entry
“Fellowship.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fellowship. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
fellowship
noun
fel·low·ship
ˈfel-ō-ˌship
1
: a friendly relationship among people
2
: a sharing of interest or feeling
3
: a group with similar interests
4
a
: the position of a fellow (as of a university)
b
: the funds granted a fellow
More from Merriam-Webster on fellowship
Nglish: Translation of fellowship for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of fellowship for Arabic Speakers
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