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

There’s always been rage in Team Dresch’s music, but the main emotion that comes across is communal joy — that’s part of the kick of their excellent new album Furthermore. — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2026

That this doesn’t play like jokey stunt casting speaks to the spirit of communal, all-hands-on-deck engagement. — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Those garlands of noise suggest that this show will be geared more toward communal arena rock than introspective bedroom pop. — Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026

Because so many of Gunn’s friends died in San Francisco, a city where Gunn had found happiness and freedom, then these elegies are also a monument to a time of communal sorrow and mourning. — Colm Tóibín, Literary Hub, 30 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