fra·ter·nal
frə-ˈtər-nᵊl 
1
a
: of, relating to, or involving brothers
fraternal love
b
: of, relating to, or being a fraternity or society
a fraternal order
a fraternal chapter house
2
: derived from two ova : dizygotic
fraternal twins
plural -s
1
a
: the state of being fraternal
b
: fraternal feeling
2
: the theoretic justification of fraternal societies or their practices
also
: the advocacy of fraternal societies
Examples of fraternal in a Sentence
Adjective
He belonged to a fraternal organization.
There was a fraternal feeling among the troops.
Recent Examples on the Web
Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 13 June 2026
Numerous religious orders and fraternal organizations formed to spread this devotion.
—ABC News, 10 June 2026
His fraternal lodge, the Odd Fellows, organized a group of boys who sold soft drinks at University of Missouri football games.
—Peter Hessler, New Yorker, 31 May 2026
The fraternal community service organization promotes agriculture and Ramona’s rural community.
—Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for fraternal
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Adjective
The United States often feels more fractured than fraternal, a search for commonality hard to find in a land of boundaries drawn harder each day.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 13 June 2026
Numerous religious orders and fraternal organizations formed to spread this devotion.
—ABC News, 10 June 2026
His fraternal lodge, the Odd Fellows, organized a group of boys who sold soft drinks at University of Missouri football games.
—Peter Hessler, New Yorker, 31 May 2026
The fraternal community service organization promotes agriculture and Ramona’s rural community.
—Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for fraternal
Cite this Entry
“Fraternal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fraternal. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
fraternal
adjective
fra·ter·nal
frə-ˈtərn-ᵊl
1
a
: of or relating to brothers
b
: of, relating to, or being a fraternity
Medical Definition
fraternal
adjective
fra·ter·nal
frə-ˈtərn-ᵊl
: derived from two ova : dizygotic
fraternal twins
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
