1

collective

play
adjective col·lec·tive \kə-ˈlek-tiv\

Definition of collective

  1. 1 :  denoting a number of persons or things considered as one group or whole flock is a collective word

  2. 2a :  formed by collecting :  aggregatedb of a fruit :  multiple

  3. 3a :  of, relating to, or being a group of individualsb :  involving all members of a group as distinct from its individuals a collective action

  4. 4 :  marked by similarity among or with the members of a group the collective interests of the town

  5. 5 :  collectivized or characterized by collectivism collective farming collective communities

  6. 6 :  shared or assumed by all members of the group collective responsibility the collective opinion of the staff collective guilt

collectively

adverb

Examples of collective in a sentence

  1. We made a collective decision to go on strike.

  2. The incident became part of our collective memory.

  3. the collective wisdom of generations

Origin and Etymology of collective

see 2collect


First Known Use: 15th century

Other Seed Plant Terms


2

collective

noun col·lec·tive

Definition of collective

  1. 1 :  a collective body :  group a social collective

  2. 2 :  a cooperative unit or organization; specifically :  collective farm

  3. 3 :  a helicopter control system governing lift

Origin and Etymology of collective

see 2collect


First Known Use: 1655



COLLECTIVE Defined for English Language Learners

1

collective

play
adjective col·lec·tive \kə-ˈlek-tiv\

Definition of collective for English Language Learners

  • : shared or done by a group of people : involving all members of a group


2

collective

noun col·lec·tive

Definition of collective for English Language Learners

  • : a business or organization that is owned by the people who work there; also : the people who own such a business or organization


COLLECTIVE Defined for Kids

collective

play
adjective col·lec·tive \kə-ˈlek-tiv\

Definition of collective for Students

  1. 1 :  having to do with a number of persons or things thought of as a whole collective nouns

  2. 2 :  done or shared by a number of persons as a group Neighbors made a collective effort to pick up litter.

collectively

adverb

Law Dictionary

collective

play
adjective col·lec·tive \kə-ˈlek-tiv\

Legal Definition of collective

  1. :  involving all members of a group as distinct from individual members

collectively

adverb


Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up collective? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

WORD OF THE DAY

contemplative of or relative to the past

Get Word of the Day daily email!

WORD GAMES

Take a 3-minute break and test your skills!

  • manet-jeanne-spring
  • Which is a synonym of chaffer?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ