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

Main suite, 2 further beds, shower, open-plan kitchen/dining room, recep, balcony, communal gardens. —The Week Uk, TheWeek, 6 Feb. 2026

Recent improvements include an upgrade to a communal deck, partial sewer line replacement and a full remodel of the manager’s unit. —Samantha Gowen, Oc Register, 5 Feb. 2026

Craft supplies can be expensive, but a nonprofit in Atlanta is working to make creativity affordable and communal. —Alexa Liacko, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026

During the Troubles, however—when Ulster spiraled into decades of political violence and communal fear—Heaney’s importance reached beyond literature. —Literary Hub, 5 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