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

• collective
• collaborative
• joint
• combined
• mutual

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

Housed in a historic Germantown residence, the restaurant serves its brunch family-style, with strangers seated together at communal tables. —Rai Mincey, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025

Design varies with each room, which are named after Chicago literary figures, and the communal third-floor living room, meant for lingering, has a grand piano and double-sided fireplace. —Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 Sep. 2025

The band recorded the final tracks live in a communal setting to contrast the initial feelings of seclusion. —Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 4 Sep. 2025

Andrea Christensen, director of Education, Schooling, and Society (ESS) at the University of Notre Dame, stresses the importance of open dialogue and communal support for teachers. —IndyStar, 3 Sep. 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