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 of communal

• 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

Somoza is its communal heartbeat. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Feb. 2026

And yet political representation has not automatically translated into economic equity or communal trust. —Jack Hill, Baltimore Sun, 26 Feb. 2026

Inside the former Venice post office (the one that once housed Joel Silver’s production company) is a small campus of podcast studios, edit bays, production spaces, and communal tables. —Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 25 Feb. 2026

Some of them also have communal spaces, like a groovy mid-century study or carriage house perfectly set up for a bridal party to hang out pre-wedding. —Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 25 Feb. 2026

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