A close community based on personal relationships and shared traditions, contrasted with a larger impersonal society (gesellschaft).
From German Gemeinschaft (from gemein 'common' + -schaft 'state/condition'). Popularized by sociologist Ferdinand Tönnies in 1887 to describe traditional community bonds.
Tönnies' Gemeinschaft/Gesellschaft split is sociology's most powerful tool for understanding why small towns feel different from cities—it's not just size, but whether relationships are personal or transactional.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.