group

1 of 2

noun

ˈgrüp 

often attributive

1

: two or more figures forming a complete unit in a composition

went there as a group

2

a

: a number of individuals assembled together or having some unifying relationship

a study group

b

: an assemblage of objects regarded as a unit

one of the food groups

c(1)

: a military unit consisting of a headquarters and attached battalions

(2)

: a unit of the U.S. Air Force higher than a squadron and lower than a wing

3

a

: an assemblage of related organisms

—often used to avoid taxonomic connotations when the kind or degree of relationship is not clearly defined

b(1)

: two or more atoms joined together or sometimes a single atom forming part of a molecule

especially : functional group

a methyl group

(2)

: an assemblage of elements forming one of the vertical columns of the periodic table

c

: a bed or layer of rocks deposited during an era

4

: a mathematical set that is closed under a binary associative operation, contains an identity element, and has an inverse for every element

group

2 of 2

verb

grouped; grouping; groups

transitive verb

1

: to combine in a group

grouped English and Dutch as Germanic languages

2

: to assign to a group : classify

The children were grouped by age.

intransitive verb

1

: to form a group

The students grouped around the table.

2

: to belong to a group

3

: to make groups of closely spaced hits on a target

the gun grouped beautifully

—R. C. Ruark

groupable

ˈgrü-pə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms

Noun

• array
• assemblage
• band
• bank
• batch
• battery
• block
• bunch
• clot
• clump
• cluster
• clutch
• collection
• constellation
• grouping
• huddle
• knot
• lot
• muster
• package
• parcel
• passel
• set
• suite

Verb

• assort
• break down
• categorize
• class
• classify
• codify
• compartment
• compartmentalize
• digest
• distinguish
• distribute
• grade
• peg
• place
• range
• rank
• relegate
• separate
• sort
• type

Examples of group in a Sentence

Noun

It'll be easier if we go there as a group.

She presented the idea to the group.

We like to let these students work in groups whenever possible.

She belongs to an environmental group.

She joined a discussion group.

A select group of scientists has been invited to the conference.

Verb

you should first group the invertebrates by genus

group the kids together and we'll see who's missing

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This group — especially Dansby Swanson, Nico Hoerner and Pete Crow-Armstrong — accumulates a lot of value primarily from their elite defense. —Sahadev Sharma, The Athletic, 11 Dec. 2024

For a first-year festival, the impressive artist line-up included recent CMA Vocal group of the year award winner Old Dominion, CMA Vocal duo of the year winner Brooks & Dunn, music legend Hank Williams Jr., and the Zac Brown Band, who has 55 award nominations alone, to name a just a few. —Marc Berman, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024

Verb

Species can be split or grouped together based on new research. —The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 12 Dec. 2024

On top of some shelves, pink and white branches topped with small lights are grouped to create a fanciful forest effect. —Tabitha Parent, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

French groupe, from Italian gruppo, by-form of groppo knot, tangle, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German kropf craw — more at crop

First Known Use

Noun

1668, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1706, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing group

• ABO blood group
• affinity group
• age-group
• alternating group
• blood group
• diagnosis related group
• encounter group
• factor group
• focus group
• functional group
• fundamental group
• ginger group
• great group
• group captain
• group discussion
• group dynamics
• group home
• group practice
• group theory
• group therapy
• in-group
• interest group
• inter-group
• linkage group
• out-group
• permutation group
• pressure group
• quotient group
• splinter group
• steering group
• support group
• symmetric group
• T-group
• topological group
• working group

Kids Definition

group

1 of 2 noun

ˈgrüp 

1

: a number of objects or persons considered as a unit

2

a

: a number of living things having some natural relationship

b

: a combination of atoms commonly found together in a molecule

a methyl group

3

: a small band : combo

a rock group

group

2 of 2 verb

: to arrange or combine in a group

group children by ages

Medical Definition

group

noun

ˈgrüp 

often attributive

1

: a number of individuals assembled together or having some unifying relationship

2

a

: an assemblage of related organisms

—often used to avoid taxonomic connotations when the kind or degree of relationship is not clearly defined

b(1)

: an assemblage of atoms forming part of a molecule

especially : functional group

(2)

: an assemblage of elements forming one of the vertical columns of the periodic table