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

The next frontier for fashion Instagram, Chen believes, is turning that engagement into live, communal experiences. — Amy O’Brien, Vogue, 8 Sep. 2026

Social wellness is redrawing the map of a night out, with contrast therapy circuits, breathwork sessions and communal bathhouses stepping in for bars and clubs. — Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2026

But the Barrio can be seen, too, as a recognizable American story of frontier towns in which neighbors helped out neighbors, and civic services became a fully communal affair. — Harry Bruinius, Christian Science Monitor, 8 Sep. 2026

Trauma experts say the high number of cases and the deaths are only one side of its impact at personal and communal levels. — ABC News, 7 Sep. 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