sodality

American  

[soh-dal-i-tee, suh-] / soʊˈdæl ɪ ti, sə- /

noun

plural

sodalities

1. fellowship; comradeship.

2. an association or society.

3. Roman Catholic Church. a lay society for religious and charitable purposes.

---

sodality British  

/ səʊˈdælɪtɪ /

noun

1. RC Church a religious or charitable society

2. fraternity; fellowship

---

Etymology

Origin of sodality

1590–1600; < Latin sodālitās companionship, equivalent to sodāl ( is ) companion + -itās -ity

Explanation

A sodality is a group of people who share a common interest or career. Everyone who works as a firefighter is part of a large, supportive sodality. The Latin root of sodality is sodalis, "companion," and you can think of these non-family groups as places to find companionship or fellowship. The word originally described Catholic guilds, and it grew to include other associations, like the ones formed by groups of plumbers or forestry workers or teachers. If you're a babysitter, you could even establish a sodality of child-minders that meets regularly to socialize and trade tips on entertaining toddlers!

Example Sentences

The sodality was organised on the basis of the local streets - and so the street leagues were born.

From BBC • Feb. 23, 2026

Charlie suggested to the local priest the idea of using the parish church's juvenile sodality - a religious group for young parishioners - as the basis for a football league.

From BBC • Feb. 23, 2026

They can define a block, lending sustenance, status and sodality in equal measure — and a sense of belonging in a city fueled by self-reliance.

From New York Times • Jul. 15, 2016

She was a member of the Woman’s Club of Chevy Chase, the Kiwanis Club and the sodality at the Catholic Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Washington.

From Washington Post • Jul. 24, 2015

Everyone knows Limerick is the holiest city in Ireland because it has the Arch Confraternity of the Holy Family, the biggest sodality in the world.

From "Angela's Ashes: A Memoir" by Frank McCourt