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

The fraternity also plans to put her picture in their composite, where she'll forever be cemented as a legacy. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 16 Feb. 2025

Once Purdy gets paid this offseason, the pressure amplifies to join a small fraternity of quarterbacks who’ve won a Super Bowl after losing their first such start: Len Dawson, Bob Griese, John Elway, and, as of Sunday, Jalen Hurts. —Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2025

Francis instead wrote that people should meditate on love that builds a fraternity open to all, without exception. —Jason Derose, NPR, 11 Feb. 2025

The fraternity was also responsible for the push to extend the celebrations to a full month. —Jessica Botelho, Baltimore Sun, 3 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing fraternity

• inter-fraternity

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