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
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
Formed just months after the end of the Civil War by six former Confederate officers, the Klan originally seemed more like a college fraternity with ceremonial robes and odd titles for its officers.
—
Fernanda Figueroa, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026
Taylor was inducted into that fraternity in 2016.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
In hockey’s past fraternities, comfort was granted over time.
—Dan Robson, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Lloyd told the student he had been jumped three weeks earlier and believed someone from the fraternity he had been rejected from sent someone to attack him.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fraternity
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Fernanda Figueroa, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026
Taylor was inducted into that fraternity in 2016.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
In hockey’s past fraternities, comfort was granted over time.
—Dan Robson, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Lloyd told the student he had been jumped three weeks earlier and believed someone from the fraternity he had been rejected from sent someone to attack him.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fraternity
Cite this Entry
“Fraternity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fraternity. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
