■ noun ( plural communities )
1》 a group of people living together in one place, especially one practising common ownership.
↘a place considered together with its inhabitants: a rural ~.
↘( the ~ ) the people of an area or country considered collectively; society.
2》 a group of people having a religion, race, profession, or other characteristic in common: the scientific ~.
↘a body of countries unified by common interests.
3》 the condition of having certain attitudes and interests in common.
↘joint ownership or liability.
4》 Ecology a group of interdependent plants or animals growing or living together.
Origin
ME: from OFr. comunete , reinforced by its source, L. communitas , from communis (see common ).