community

 
Pronunciation: /kəˈmjuːnɪti/

noun (plural communities)

  • 1a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common: Montreal’s Italian community the gay community in London the scientific community
  • a group of people living together and practising common ownership: a community of nuns
  • a particular area or place considered together with its inhabitants: a rural community local communities
  • a body of nations or states unified by common interests: [in names]: the European Community
  • (the community) the people of a district or country considered collectively, especially in the context of social values and responsibilities; society: preparing prisoners for life back in the community
  • [as modifier] denoting a worker or resource designed to serve the people of a particular area: community health services
  • 2 [mass noun] the condition of sharing or having certain attitudes and interests in common: the sense of community that organized religion can provide
  • [in singular] a similarity or identity: the law presupposes a community of interest between an employer and employees
  • joint ownership or liability: the community of goods
  • 3 Ecology a group of interdependent plants or animals growing or living together in natural conditions or occupying a specified habitat: communities of insectivorous birds

Phrases

the international community

the countries of the world considered collectively: the policy led to widespread condemnation from the international community

Origin:

late Middle English: from Old French comunete, reinforced by its source, Latin communitas, from communis (see common)