gemeinschaft

American  

[guh-mahyn-shahft] / gəˈmaɪnˌʃɑft /

noun

(often initial capital letter)

gemeinschaften plural

1. an association of individuals having sentiments, tastes, and attitudes in common; fellowship.

2. Sociology. a society or group characterized chiefly by a strong sense of common identity, close personal relationships, and an attachment to traditional and sentimental concerns.

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gemeinschaft British  

/ ɡəˈmainʃaft /

noun

1. (often capital) a social group united by common beliefs, family ties, etc Compare gesellschaft

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• gemeinschaften
  plural

Etymology

Origin of gemeinschaft

1935–40; < German: community, equivalent to gemein common + -schaft -ship

Compare meaning

How does gemeinschaft compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• gemeinschaft vs. gesellschaft

Explanation

Gemeinschaft is a term from German sociology that refers to the social relationships that exist in close-knit, traditional communities, especially those found in pre-industrial villages and small rural towns. Core characteristics of gemeinschaft include close personal bonds, collective identity, and shared values and customs within a community. German sociologist Ferdinand Tönnies introduced the concept in a book in 1887, in which he contrasts gemeinschaft, "community," with gesellschaft, "society" or "association" — such as that which exists in more urban, large-scale cities in an industrialized world. Today, one might find elements of gemeinschaft in tightly knit rural communities, such as many Amish communities.