fraternity

noun

fra·​ter·​ni·​ty frə-ˈtər-nə-tē How to pronounce fraternity (audio)
plural fraternities
1
: a group of people associated or formally organized for a common purpose, interest, or pleasure: such as
a
: a fraternal order
c
: a men's student organization formed chiefly for social purposes having secret rites and a name consisting of Greek letters
d
: a student organization for scholastic, professional, or extracurricular activities
a debating fraternity
2
: the quality or state of being brothers : brotherliness
3
: persons of the same class, profession, character, or tastes
the racetrack fraternity

Examples of fraternity in a Sentence

an atmosphere of fraternity and cooperation a firm believer in community service and a dedicated member of the local fraternity of Good Samaritans
Recent Examples on the Web Delta Chi shared a Facebook post asking for the public's help to locate their fraternity brother. Evan Mealins, USA TODAY, 23 Mar. 2024 Strain and his Delta Chi fraternity brothers were visiting Nashville for their fraternity formal. Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 22 Mar. 2024 Investigators have found the body of Riley Strain, a 22-year-old University of Missouri student who disappeared on March 8 after drinking with his fraternity brothers in the city's downtown. Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2024 The student was in Nashville with his Delta Chi fraternity members. Becca Longmire, Peoplemag, 21 Mar. 2024 The University of Missouri senior was visiting Nashville with his fraternity brothers for a spring formal trip, according to Fox 17 Nashville. Stepheny Price, Fox News, 17 Mar. 2024 Dozens of fraternities at the University of Virginia voluntarily suspended recruitment events after a recruit was hospitalized on Feb 21. Rachel Weiner, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024 The Delta Chi fraternity member, who attends the University of Missouri, had traveled to Tennessee with the group for their annual spring formal, according to the St. Louis Post Dispatch. Abigail Adams, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024 On the one-year mark of his death, the fraternity plans to plant a tree in his memory outside the chapter house. Georgea Kovanis, Detroit Free Press, 11 Feb. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near fraternity

Cite this Entry

“Fraternity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fraternity. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

fraternity

noun
fra·​ter·​ni·​ty frə-ˈtər-nət-ē How to pronounce fraternity (audio)
plural fraternities
1
: a social, honorary, or professional organization
especially : a social club of male college students
2

More from Merriam-Webster on fraternity

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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