fellowship

American  

[fel-oh-ship] / ˈfɛl oʊˌʃɪp /

noun

1. the condition or relation of being a companion or peer.

   We all belong to the fellowship of humankind.

2. friendly relationship; companionship.

   the fellowship of father and son.

   Synonyms:

   intimacy, society, friendship, camaraderie, comradeship

3. community of interest, feeling, etc.

4. communion, as between members of the same church.

5. friendliness.

6. an association of persons having similar tastes, interests, etc.

7. a company, guild, or corporation.

8. Education.

   1. the body of fellows in a college or university.

   2. the position or emoluments of a fellow of a college or university, or the sum of money they receive.

   3. a foundation for the maintenance of a fellow in a college or university.

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verb (used with object)

fellowshipped, fellowshiped, fellowshipping, fellowshiping

1. to admit (someone) to fellowship, especially religious communion or community.

   Rather than rejecting the stranger in your midst, welcome her and fellowship her.

verb (used without object)

fellowshipped, fellowshiped, fellowshipping, fellowshiping

1. to join in fellowship, especially religious communion or community.

fellowship British  

/ ˈfɛləʊˌʃɪp /

noun

1. the state of sharing mutual interests, experiences, activities, etc

2. a society of people sharing mutual interests, experiences, activities, etc; club

3. companionship; friendship

4. the state or relationship of being a fellow

5. 1. mutual trust and charitableness between Christians

   2. a Church or religious association

6. education

   1. a financed research post providing study facilities, privileges, etc, often in return for teaching services

   2. a foundation endowed to support a postgraduate research student

   3. an honorary title carrying certain privileges awarded to a postgraduate student

7. (often capital) the body of fellows in a college, university, etc

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Etymology

Origin of fellowship

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English felauship(e); see origin at fellow, -ship

Explanation

A grant given by a university or foundation to a scholar for research or study is a fellowship. If you get a fellowship to do research on insects, it might bug your colleagues who didn't get one. Use fellowship to refer to someone's company or companionship. Your grandmother might prefer the fellowship of people her own age, since they remember the same historic events as she does and know the same songs. A fellowship is also a community of people who share common beliefs or interests. A fellowship of knitters might meet weekly at a cafe in your town to exchange ideas and knit together.

Example Sentences

The Wham! and solo pop star, who died in 2016 aged 53, joined a host of famous fellowship inductees including Bruce Springsteen and also U2, from last year's ceremony.

From BBC • May 21, 2026

In 2004, Sir Elton was awarded fellowship of the Ivors Academy, and his old collaborator, the late George Michael, also had that honour bestowed upon him on Thursday - 10 years after his death.

From BBC • May 21, 2026

There, the MTS role functioned more like a scientific fellowship than a corporate position.

From MarketWatch • May 9, 2026

While at Caltech, he was a teaching assistant and a member of the school’s Christian fellowship and the Nerf club, according to his LinkedIn profile.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 26, 2026

Stevens was disappointed about missing the man’s talk—his fellowship often prevented his attendance at guest lectures—but the money would remove some of the sting.

From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead