1. Brotherhood: This is the most common and general meaning of "fraternity." It refers to a close bond of affection and mutual support between people, especially men.
2. Social Organization: "Fraternity" can also refer to a social organization, typically for men, that is often associated with universities or colleges. These fraternities often have rituals, social events, and a strong emphasis on brotherhood.
3. Guild: Historically, a fraternity could also refer to a guild of merchants or craftsmen who shared a common trade or profession.
Here are some examples of how "fraternity" can be used in a sentence:
* "The fraternity of soldiers fighting for their country was strong." (referring to the bond of brotherhood)
* "He pledged to the fraternity his freshman year of college." (referring to a social organization)
* "The guild of blacksmiths was a powerful fraternity in the city." (referring to a historical guild)
Ultimately, the specific meaning of "fraternity" will depend on the context in which it is used.