Definition of COLLECTIVE (original) (raw)
1
: denoting a number of persons or things considered as one group or whole
flock is a collective word
3
a
: of, relating to, or being a group of individuals
b
: involving all members of a group as distinct from its individuals
4
: marked by similarity among or with the members of a group
the collective interests of the town
6
: shared or assumed by all members of the group
collective responsibility
the collective opinion of the staff
1
: a collective body : group
2
: a cooperative unit or organization
3
: a helicopter control system governing lift
Synonyms
Examples of collective in a Sentence
Adjective
We made a collective decision to go on strike. The incident became part of our collective memory. the collective wisdom of generations
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Now is the time for collective action to reverse this trend. —
Dianne Plummer, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2024 The physical Ravens and Eagles caved in the Steelers’ defense the last two weeks, gaining over 800 yards while controlling the clock for a collective 72 minutes. —Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 25 Dec. 2024
In astrology, these North Node guides the collective toward what they’re meant to embrace more of, while the South Node shows the collective what they’re meant to let go of. —Roya Backlund, StyleCaster, 13 Dec. 2024 This ethos of self-acceptance and creative exploration lies at the heart of the iconic _collective_’s legacy. —Okla Jones, Essence, 13 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for collective 
Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English collectif, borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Medieval Latin collēctīvus, going back to Late Latin, "comprehensive, (in logic and grammar) inferential," going back to Latin, "preceding by inference, deductive," from collēctus, past participle of colligere "to gather together, assemble, accumulate, deduce, infer" + -īvus -ive — more at collect entry 2
Noun
derivative of collective entry 1
First Known Use
Adjective
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun
1655, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of collective was in the 15th century
Dictionary Entries Near collective
Cite this Entry
“Collective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/collective. Accessed 29 Dec. 2024.
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Last Updated: 28 Dec 2024 - Updated example sentences
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