n.
 (pl. communities)
    - a group of people living together in one place, especially one practising common ownership. ▸a place considered together with its inhabitants: ![]()  a rural community. 
▸
(the community)
 the people of an area or country considered collectively; society. 
- a group of people having a religion, race, profession, or other characteristic in common:![]()  the scientific community. ▸a body of countries unified by common interests. 
- the condition of having certain attitudes and interests in common. ▸joint ownership or liability. 
- Ecology  a group of interdependent plants or animals growing or living together.
Etymology
  ME: from OFr. comunete, reinforced by its source, L. communitas, from communis (see common).