esprit de corps

American  

[e-spree duh kawr] / ɛˈspri də ˈkɔr /

noun

1. a sense of unity and of common interests and responsibilities, as developed among a group of persons closely associated in a task, cause, enterprise, etc.

   Synonyms:

   fellowship, solidarity, bonding, camaraderie

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esprit de corps British  

/ ɛˈspriː də ˈkɔː, ɛspri də kɔr /

noun

1. consciousness of and pride in belonging to a particular group; the sense of shared purpose and fellowship

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esprit de corps Cultural  

1. The feeling of camaraderie among members of a group or an organization: “The campers have been together for only one week, but they are already bound by a strong esprit de corps.” From French, meaning “group spirit.”

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Etymology

Origin of esprit de corps

First recorded in 1770–80; from French: literally, “group spirit”

Example Sentences

The president told NBC News it would be an exercise in generating some "esprit de corps" - suggesting that he saw an opportunity to galvanise his troops.

From BBC • Sep. 30, 2025

The department had argued the policy was enforced “to increase discipline, uniformity, safety and esprit de corps throughout this Department,” according to a Washington Post report at the time.

From Washington Post • Nov. 26, 2022

To that end, they are acting with an esprit de corps and fanatical commitment to their cause to make such an outcome a reality.

From Salon • Dec. 10, 2021

The LGBTQ-friendly update, which opens new possibilities for romantic unions, winks puckishly to establish a giddy esprit de corps with the audience.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 16, 2021

In 1928, when I was nine, I belonged, with maximum esprit de corps, to an organization known as the Comanche Club.

From "Nine Stories" by J. D. Salinger