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

Drink cider straight from the barrel and enjoy communal dining at a traditional Basque sidrería. —Michelle Arellano Martin, Travel + Leisure, 9 Nov. 2025

According to police, the man is suspected of stealing underwear and food from the sorority and watching women shower in the communal shower room. —Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2025

The news of KitKat’s tragic death has sparked communal grief and outrage as locals weigh in on the safety of autonomous vehicles. —Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2025

Indoor dining with communal seating options. —Gege Reed, Louisville Courier Journal, 4 Nov. 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