european community
Low/HistoricalFormal, Historical, Academic, Political
Definition
Meaning
The former name for the main economic and political alliance between several European nations, which later became the European Union.
A historical term referring to the collective institutions and agreements that formed the basis of European integration from 1967 until the Maastricht Treaty (1993), comprising the European Coal and Steel Community, European Economic Community, and European Atomic Energy Community.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
While still understood, the term is now largely historical. In current discourse, it has been superseded by 'European Union' (post-1993). Using 'European Community' for current affairs is an anachronism.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical in terms of meaning and historical reference. In British political discourse, the term may be used more frequently in discussions of sovereignty and historical context.
Connotations
Connotations are neutral and technical. In the UK, the term may sometimes be used with a nostalgic or critical tone regarding the pre-Maastricht era of integration.
Frequency
Low frequency in both variants, but slightly more likely to appear in UK historical/political texts discussing the evolution of Britain's relationship with Europe.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The European Community + past tense verb (e.g., was founded, comprised, evolved).A country + verb (joined, acceded to, left) + the European Community.Policies/Regulations + verb (were established by, originated in) + the European Community.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Widening and deepening (of the Community)”
- “An ever-closer union (phrase from the treaties)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Now historical; may appear in corporate histories or legacy legal documents related to pre-1993 trade.
Academic
Used in history, political science, and European studies to refer to the specific institutional framework from 1967-1993.
Everyday
Rare. Might be used by older generations recalling events before the EU was created.
Technical
Appears in legal texts, treaties, and historical analyses of European law and policy development.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The UK acceded to the European Community in 1973.
- Several nations were eager to join the European Community.
American English
- The U.S. negotiated trade agreements with the European Community.
- Greece re-entered the European Community framework after its military junta fell.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The European Community was an old name for the EU.
- My book has a map of the European Community.
- The European Community had twelve members before it became the EU.
- Some laws in Britain came from the European Community.
- Before the Maastricht Treaty, the European Community focused primarily on economic integration.
- The Single European Act of 1987 significantly reformed the European Community's decision-making.
- The European Community's supranational institutions, such as the Commission and the European Court of Justice, laid the groundwork for deeper political union.
- Scholars debate whether the European Community's expansion to the south in the 1980s diluted its federalist ambitions.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: EUROPEAN COMMUNITY = The Historical UNION. 'Community' was the term used before the 'Union' was officially formed.
Conceptual Metaphor
A CLUB OF NATIONS (with rules and membership). A FOUNDATION (upon which the EU was built).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'Европейское сообщество' for current events; use 'Европейский союз' (EU) instead.
- Do not confuse 'Community' with 'commune' or 'коммуна'; here it means an association of states.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'European Community' to refer to the modern European Union.
- Incorrectly capitalising 'community' when not part of the proper noun (e.g., 'a European community' vs. 'the European Community').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most accurate statement about the term 'European Community' today?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The European Community (EC) was one of the three pillars of the European Union (EU) established by the Maastricht Treaty in 1993. Over time, the term 'European Community' was fully replaced by 'European Union' following the Lisbon Treaty (2009).
The term began to be phased out after the Maastricht Treaty created the EU in 1993. It remained in limited legal use until the Lisbon Treaty (2009) abolished the European Community pillar entirely, merging it into the EU.
The main institutions were the European Commission, the Council of Ministers, the European Parliament, and the European Court of Justice. These institutions were carried over into the European Union.
It's crucial for understanding historical documents, treaties, and political discussions before 1993. Many current EU laws and policies have their origins in European Community treaties and legislation.