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group

group [ groop ]

noun (plural groups)

Definition:

1. set of people or things: a number of people or things considered together or regarded as belonging together

2. people with something in common: a number of people sharing something in common such as an interest, belief, or political aim

an environmental group

3. music band of musicians: a small number of musicians, especially in pop music, who play together as a unit

4. commerce companies under common control: a number of companies all controlled by a single company or common owner

5. military set of two or more battalions: a military formation made up of two or more battalions and a headquarters

6. air force air formation between squadron and wing: an air force formation made up of two or more squadrons, but smaller than a wing

7. chemistry collection of atoms: a collection of atoms that is a distinct chemical unit, e.g. the hydroxy group

8. chemistry collection of similar elements: a set of chemical elements classified according to the vertical column they occupy in the periodic table. There are 18 such groups, and elements in the same group have similar properties.

the alkaline earth group of elements

9. geology set of rock formations: a collection of rock formations that date from the same geologic era and are considered as a stratigraphic unit

10. mathematics mathematical set under operation: a set of mathematical entities that are related by a particular operation. For example, consecutive numbers are a group under addition but not under multiplication. ( often used before a noun )

transitive and intransitive verb (past and past participle grouped, present participle group·ing, 3rd person present singular groups)

Definition:

form group: to come together as a unit, or bring people or things together to form a unit

spectators grouped in ones and twos

adjective

Definition:

of groups: relating to groups, or forming a group

group tours

[Late 17th century. Via French groupe< Italian gruppo "group, knot"]

group·a·ble adjective

Word Usage


	When group is used to refer to a collection of individuals regarded as a unit or a whole, a singular verb is used: The group has decided not to go on the afternoon tour, i.e., everybody in the group has decided unanimously to skip that tour. When the members of a group are regarded as separate individuals or factions, a plural verb is used: The group have been arguing all morning about going or not going, i.e., some members want to go and others do not.