collective

[kuh-lek-tiv]

adjective

1. formed by collection.

2. forming a whole; combined.

   the collective assets of a corporation and its subsidiaries.

3. of or characteristic of a group of individuals taken together.

   the collective wishes of the membership.

4. organized according to the principles of collectivism.

   a collective farm.

noun

1. collective noun.

2. a collective body; group.

3. a business, farm, etc., jointly owned and operated by the members of a group.

4. a unit of organization or the organization in a collectivist system.

collective

/ kəˈlɛktɪv /

adjective

1. formed or assembled by collection

2. forming a whole or aggregate

3. of, done by, or characteristic of individuals acting in cooperation

noun

1. 1. a cooperative enterprise or unit, such as a collective farm

   2. the members of such a cooperative

2. short for collective noun

Other Word Forms

• collectively adverb
• collectiveness noun
• noncollective adjective
• uncollective adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of collective¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English collectif (from Middle French ), from Latin collēctīvus, equivalent to collēct(us) (past participle of colligere; collect ¹ ) + -īvus -ive

Example Sentences

But what about the full-throated collective cheers that greeted Lagergren's marginally pulled approach that did find the drink on the third and decisive hole of the shootout?

From BBC

“We’re all on the front lines of this worsening wildfire threat — and by joining our collective resources together, we will be even more effective in protecting our communities.”

From Los Angeles Times

The latest action follows a March order outlawing collective bargaining for a majority of the federal workforce, citing the same justification.

From Los Angeles Times

"We need to see a collective message from across all the political parties in Northern Ireland".

From BBC

Statements from the two sides were not heavy on details, though they promised to work through their differences to benefit their collective population of 2.8 billion people.

From BBC

Related Words

• concerted 
• corporate 
• cumulative 
• mutual 
• shared www.thesaurus.com
• unified www.thesaurus.com