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community
/k(ə)ˈmjunəti/
The word can be used as both a countable noun (referring to a specific group, like "a religious community") and an uncountable noun (referring to the general feeling of belonging, like "a sense of community"). In modern usage, it often refers to people who share an interest or identity regardless of where they live, such as "the gaming community" or "the LGBTQ+ community." When used in a biological context, it is a technical term describing how different species interact in one environment.
💬Casual Conversation
Bro, this new DAO has a huge community. We'd be early adopters.
Bet. Does it pay for skins?
Meanings
A group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.
"The local community came together to rebuild the park after the storm."
Examples
We really need a stronger sense of community around here.
The whole community is talking about that weird noise last night!
I just love being part of this creative community, you know?
Look, this community can't survive if we keep fighting like this!
It is a tight-knit community where everyone knows your business.
Does this local community actually support the new zoning laws?
She finally found a supportive community in her gaming group.
Who cares about the community when my house is flooding?!
Collocations & Compounds
sense of community
The feeling of belonging and fellowship shared by members of a group.
local community
The people living in the particular area or neighborhood surrounding a location.
community spirit
The willingness of people in a community to help one another and work together.
online community
A group of people who interact via the internet based on shared interests or goals.
community outreach
An effort by an organization to provide services or information to a specific population.
Idioms & Sayings
sense of community
The feeling that one belongs to a group and is supported by other members.
community spirit
The willingness of people in a particular area to help each other and work together for the common good.
community chest
A communal fund or collection used for charitable purposes within a local group.
Cultural Context
For centuries, the concept of community was inextricably linked to geography. To belong to a community meant living within walking distance of your neighbors, sharing a local well, or attending the same village square. This 'community of place' provided an essential psychological safety net; your identity was forged by the people who saw you every day, creating a dense web of mutual obligation and shared history.
However, the dawn of the internet triggered one of the most profound sociological shifts in human history: the decoupling of community from location. We transitioned from 'communities of place' to 'communities of interest.' Suddenly, a teenager in a rural village in Nebraska could find a deep sense of belonging with a global community of vintage synth enthusiasts or obscure anime fans. This shift liberated the individual from the accidents of birth and geography, allowing people to seek out those who truly mirrored their internal world rather than those who simply lived next door.
But this liberation came with a complex psychological trade-off. While digital communities offer unprecedented validation for niche identities, they often lack the 'thick' social capital found in physical spaces. In a traditional neighborhood community, you are forced to interact with people you might disagree with, fostering resilience and compromise. In contrast, digital communities can inadvertently create echo chambers, where the feeling of fellowship is maintained by filtering out dissenting voices.
Ultimately, the modern evolution of community reveals a fundamental human truth: our need for connection is an evolutionary imperative. Whether it is a biological community of organisms sharing a reef or a global network of gamers coordinating a raid, the drive to be part of something larger than oneself remains constant. We are currently in a transitional era, learning how to blend the efficiency and reach of virtual networks with the visceral, grounding presence of local connection to satisfy our timeless hunger for belonging.