solidarity

¹ American  

[sol-i-dar-i-tee] / ˌsɒl ɪˈdær ɪ ti /

noun

plural

solidarities

1. union or fellowship arising from common responsibilities and interests, as between members of a group or between classes, peoples, etc..

   to promote solidarity among union members.

   Synonyms:

   community, cooperation, unity

2. community of feelings, purposes, etc.

   Synonyms:

   unanimity

3. community of responsibilities and interests.

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Solidarity ² American  

[sol-i-dar-i-tee] / ˌsɒl ɪˈdær ɪ ti /

noun

1. a Polish organization of independent trade unions founded in 1980: outlawed by the government of Poland in 1982.

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Solidarity ¹ British  

/ ˌsɒlɪˈdærɪtɪ /

noun

1. the organization of free trade unions in Poland: recognized in 1980; outlawed in 1982; legalized and led the new noncommunist government in 1989

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solidarity ² British  

/ ˌsɒlɪˈdærɪtɪ /

noun

1. unity of interests, sympathies, etc, as among members of the same class

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Solidarity Cultural  

1. A labor union in Poland, independent of the government and of the Polish Communist party, that grew to a membership of several million in the early 1980s. Led by Lech Walesa, Solidarity pushed for many reforms and played a major part in the ouster of communism in Poland and its replacement by a multiparty, democratic government. The movement's influence began to decline in the 1990s.

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Other Word Forms

• nonsolidarity noun
• unsolidarity noun

Etymology

Origin of solidarity

First recorded in 1840–50; from French solidarité, equivalent to solidaire solidary + -ité -ity

Explanation

When you see a group of citizens protesting something on the news, marching in a group, holding signs, and chanting slogans, you know they are in solidarity with each other, or united behind a common goal or purpose. Any time you express support of a group or the people in it, you're showing solidarity with them. The word is used most often to describe a sense of unity with a political group, a group of striking workers, or people who have been deprived of their rights in some way. You might show your own solidarity by signing a petition, joining in a protest, or simply flashing a thumbs up.

Example Sentences

Max Arias, the executive director of Local 99, said Sunday that union solidarity remains strong as bargaining continues.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

Tobias Higbie, the director of UCLA’s institute on labor and employment and unaffiliated with the negotiations, said the three unions gained more leverage by agreeing to solidarity strikes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

Father Fred Wekesa, the rector of the Saint Augustine Basilica at Annaba where Leo will celebrate mass, said the pope's upcoming visit would give his small flock a "message of encouragement and solidarity".

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

Organisers say they are standing in solidarity with those who are protesting in the Republic of Ireland where hundreds of petrol stations are without fuel due to five days of protests.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

One dropped down and came and sat a few feet away as if in solidarity, and again I had the feeling it was the same one that was always bolder than the rest.

From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo

Related Words

• agreement
• consensus
• harmony
• support
• teamwork
• unanimity
• unification