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

Dancing, snapping selfies, and hugging fans, Burton turned the soulful concert into a communal celebration. —Boutayna Chokrane, Pitchfork, 22 July 2024

Individual sites don’t have campfire rings, but there is a communal firepit and wood available for purchase on the island. —Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel, 22 July 2024

Marcella Trowbridge is sharing, and building upon, an outdoor experience that has calmed and focused her by creating a multidisciplinary communal live performance that helps attendees face the world and look at it in a new light. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 21 July 2024

Everyone in the tent obliged, inhaling deeply and then exhaling one very large — and now very legal — communal cloud of smoke into the air. —Adam Tschorn, Los Angeles Times, 18 July 2024

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

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