# fellowship

/ˈfɛɫoʊˌʃɪp/ (US) · /fˈɛləʊʃˌɪp/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fellowship
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. friendship and connection

noun · CEFR B2

a feeling of friendship and shared experience between people.

For teachers: the state of sharing mutual interests, experiences, or feelings of camaraderie.

- The hikers enjoyed a sense of fellowship as they sat around the campfire.
- The shared hardships of the expedition forged a deep fellowship among the crew members that lasted long after their return.

### 2. an association or group

noun · CEFR B2

a group of people who join together because they share the same goals or beliefs.

For teachers: an association or company of people sharing a common interest, activity, or purpose.

- He was invited to join a local fellowship of poets and writers.
- The religious fellowship provided both spiritual guidance and a robust social network for the new immigrants in the city.

### 3. academic position

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

a position at a university that pays a person to do research or study a specific subject.

For teachers: a merit-based position at an academic institution, often providing a stipend for research with minimal teaching obligations.

- She was awarded a prestigious fellowship to study ancient history in Rome.
- After completing his doctorate, he secured a three-year research fellowship to investigate the long-term effects of climate change on alpine flora.

### 4. medical training

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a period of advanced medical training for a doctor who has already finished their basic training.

For teachers: a period of supervised, sub-specialty medical training undertaken by a physician after completing a residency.

- The surgeon is currently doing a fellowship in pediatric heart surgery.
- The hospital offers several competitive fellowships for residents wishing to specialize in interventional radiology or oncology.

### 5. to spend time together

verb · CEFR C2 · Formal · American English

to spend time with other people in a friendly way, especially in a church group.

For teachers: to join in communal activities or build cordial relationships, primarily within a religious context.

- The members stayed after the service to fellowship over coffee and cake.
- The congregation was encouraged to fellowship with one another during the annual retreat to strengthen their communal bonds.

Usage: Often used as an intransitive verb in American church communities.

## Examples

- She won a research fellowship at the university.
- The local hiking club provides a sense of fellowship for people who enjoy the outdoors.
- After completing her residency, she accepted a prestigious medical fellowship to specialise in pediatric oncology at a leading research hospital.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.