communal

1 of 2

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

communalize

2 of 2

transitive verb

com·​mu·​nal·​ize kə-ˈmyü-nə-ˌlīz 

ˈkäm-yə-nə-

-ed/-ing/-s

: to make communal

specifically : to subject to the rights, methods, organization, or ownership of a community

Synonyms of communal

Adjective

• collective
• collaborative
• joint
• combined
• mutual

Examples of communal in a Sentence

Adjective

The tribe lived in communal huts.

the communal experience of riding on the train

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

But we were too caught up in the communal bliss to take a poll of random kids. — Chris Willman, Variety, 7 July 2026

Toss on a jacket and gather around the communal firepit—motor court rooms share two—and gaze up at the stars. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 July 2026

The bar program is playful, colorful and communal — expect to see a little something for everyone. — Blair Crosby, AJC.com, 5 July 2026

What had previously been a more solitary, perfectionist process thus opened up into something fluid and communal. — Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 6 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

French, from Late Latin communalis, from Latin communis

First Known Use

Adjective

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