Definition

1. Noun:
   • A friendly association, especially with people who share one's interests: "fellowship" refers to a feeling of companionship and community among people with shared interests, beliefs, or activities.
   • A group of people meeting to pursue a shared interest or aim: It can also denote the group itself, such as a society or association.
   • The position or status of being a fellow of a college or learned society: In academic contexts, it refers to a funded research post or membership in a scholarly society.
   • A grant of money to support advanced study or research: It can mean the financial award given to a fellow.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • There was a warm sense of fellowship among the volunteers. (A feeling of friendly community existed.)
  • He joined a Christian fellowship at university. (He became a member of a religious association.)
  • She was awarded a research fellowship in biology. (She received a grant for her biology research.)
  • He holds a fellowship at the Royal Society. (He has the status of a member at that learned society.)

Advanced Usage

• "In fellowship with": sharing a feeling of companionship or community with someone.
  • They worked in fellowship with the local community.
• "The fellowship of the ring" (literary/cultural reference): This phrase from J.R.R. Tolkien's work uses "fellowship" to mean a close-knit company or brotherhood united by a common quest.

Variants and Related Words

• Fellow (n): A member of a learned society; a comrade or associate.
  • He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
• Fellowship as a verb (rare/archaic): To admit to fellowship; to companion.
• Good-fellowship (n, compound): Congenial companionship; conviviality.

Synonyms

• Companionship: The state of spending time with others.
• Comradeship: Friendship between people who share an activity or experience.
• Association: A group of people organized for a joint purpose.
• Brotherhood/Sisterhood: A feeling of kinship and closeness among a group.

Related Phrases

• Full fellowship: Complete membership rights and privileges within a group.
  • She was granted full fellowship in the organization.
• Fellowship program: An organized program offering grants or research positions.
  • He applied for a prestigious fellowship program.

Related Idioms

• A fellowship of suffering: A bond created between people who have endured similar hardships.
  • The survivors shared a fellowship of suffering.

Noun

1. money granted (by a university or foundation or other agency) for advanced study or research
2. the state of being with someone
   • he missed their company
   • he enjoyed the society of his friends
3. an association of people who share common beliefs or activities
   • the message was addressed not just to employees but to every member of the company family
   • the church welcomed new members into its fellowship