communal

adjective

com·​mu·​nal kə-ˈmyü-nᵊl 

ˈkäm-yə-nᵊl

1

: of or relating to one or more communes

a communal organization

2

: of or relating to a community

3

a

: characterized by collective ownership and use of property

b

: participated in, shared, or used in common by members of a group or community

a communal kitchen

gathered for a communal meal

4

: of, relating to, or based on racial or cultural groups

communal violence

communalize

kə-ˈmyü-nə-ˌlīz 

ˈkäm-yə-

transitive verb

communally adverb

Synonyms

• collaborative
• collective
• combined
• common
• concerted
• conjoint
• conjunct
• cooperative
• joint
• multiple
• mutual
• pooled
• public
• shared
• united

Examples of communal in a Sentence

The tribe lived in communal huts.

the communal experience of riding on the train

Recent Examples on the Web

Sophisticated and contemporary, with booths separated by greenery, a communal high-top near the main bar — and, overseeing the scene, a creative mural installation by Basile Studios. —Linda Zavoral, Mercury News, 13 June 2025

Other favorite stops along Lockhart’s barbecue trail include the market-style Terry Black’s Barbecue and Smitty’s Market, a no-frills place with communal seating that’s been serving up delectable eats since 1948. —Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 June 2025

Lush greenery and palm trees are carefully positioned around the communal pools, serving more than an aesthetic purpose: their roots are integrated into the facility’s filtration system. —Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025

In total, there were 73 cameras in the villa, which are placed near areas like the pool, the kitchen and the communal bathroom. —Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 9 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, from Late Latin communalis, from Latin communis

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing communal

• inter-communal

Rhymes for communal

• jejunal
• lagoonal
• monsoonal
• tribunal
• intercommunal

Kids Definition

communal

adjective

com·​mu·​nal kə-ˈmyün-ᵊl 

ˈkäm-yən-ᵊl

1

: of or relating to a commune or community

2

: shared or used in common by members of a group or community