fraternity

noun

fra·​ter·​ni·​ty frə-ˈtər-nə-tē 

plural fraternities

1

: a group of people associated or formally organized for a common purpose, interest, or pleasure: such as

a

: a fraternal order

b

: guild sense 1

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

Synonyms

• association
• board
• brotherhood
• chamber
• club
• college
• congress
• consortium
• council
• fellowship
• guild
• gild
• institute
• institution
• league
• order
• organization
• society
• sodality

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

Listen to this article A Southern University student has died following an off-campus ritual with the Omega Psi Phi fraternity. —David Matthews, New York Daily News, 28 Feb. 2025

Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s national organization and fraternity chapter did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. —Julia Bonavita, Fox News, 26 Feb. 2025

The fraternity chapter, as well as the national organization, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. —Julia Reinstein, ABC News, 24 Feb. 2025

Aside from the commercial success, Packer credits his strong relationships throughout his life as a way to propel him forward, like his beloved fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha, lifelong friends he’s made at his alma mater FAMU, and invaluable industry connections. —Dominique Fluker, Essence, 17 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing fraternity

• inter-fraternity

Rhymes for fraternity

• eternity
• maternity
• modernity
• paternity
• confraternity
• taciturnity

Kids Definition

fraternity

noun

fra·​ter·​ni·​ty frə-ˈtər-nət-ē 

plural fraternities

1

: a social, honorary, or professional organization

especially : a social club of male college students

2

: brotherhood sense 1, brotherliness