fellowship

1 of 2

noun

fel·​low·​ship ˈfe-lə-ˌship 

-lō-

1

: companionship, company

looking for the fellowship of friendly people

2

a

: community of interest, activity, feeling, or experience

their fellowship in crime

—A. J. Ayer

b

: the state of being a fellow or associate

3

: a company of equals or friends : association

a youth fellowship

4

: the quality or state of being comradely

meaningful communication for building trust and fellowship

5

obsolete : membership, partnership

6

a

: the position of a fellow (as of a university)

applied for a research fellowship in physics

b

: the stipend of a fellow

c

: a foundation for the providing of such a stipend

fellowship

2 of 2

verb

fellowshipped also fellowshiped ˈfe-lə-ˌshipt 

-lō-

; fellowshipping also fellowshiping ˈfe-lə-ˌshi-piŋ 

-lō-

intransitive verb

: to join in fellowship especially with a church member

transitive verb

: to admit to fellowship (as in a church)

Synonyms

Noun

• communion
• rapport
• rapprochement

Examples of fellowship in a Sentence

Noun

traditions that bind us together in fellowship

members of a law firm who violated just about every ethical principle that the legal fellowship holds dear

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Their vision for this yearly spectacle is to celebrate humor and fellowship while highlighting the skills of gifted comedians, both up-and-coming and established, at the same time providing them the opportunity to network with industry insiders. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 20 June 2024

In addition to enabling the institute to expand its exploration, the money will establish fellowships and grants for science and education programs. —The Editors, Robb Report, 14 June 2024

Verb

Our graduates have a strong record of winning various prestigious awards, such as Fulbright fellowships, U.S. Presidential Management fellowships, and international development fellowships. —Foreign Affairs, 10 June 2024

Yale is second only to Harvard in the number of faculty members that have received Guggenheim fellowships over the years. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 13 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English felaweschipe, going back to Old English fēolagscipe, from fēolaga fellow + -scipe -ship

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing fellowship

• traveling fellowship

Kids Definition

fellowship

noun

fel·​low·​ship

ˈfel-ō-ˌship

1

: a friendly relationship among people

2

: a sharing of interest or feeling

3

: a group with similar interests

4

a

: the position of a fellow (as of a university)

b

: the funds granted a fellow