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); fellow, -ship

Example Sentences

Ardern left New Zealand shortly after quitting politics in January 2023, and took on a fellowship at Harvard University.

From BBC • Mar. 2, 2026

It’s shared by Hoda, 27, an art school graduate whose fellowship to Lisbon, Portugal, was derailed when the Portuguese Embassy closed during the 12-day war.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2026

P.A.S. receives support from Medtronic and Boston Scientific for fellowship education.

From Science Daily • Feb. 8, 2026

He completed the Knight-Bagehot fellowship program in economics and business journalism at Columbia University in 2019.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026

After that, Mrs. Mackey told us we were going to decorate the bulletin board in the fellowship hall and it would be called Our Garden of Blessings.

From "Wish" by Barbara O'Connor