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

An Israeli strike in Gaza, just before the Egypt-Argentina match, killed aid official Mohamed al-Wahidi, two young brothers and a taxi driver, turning a rare communal celebration into devastation. — Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Each dinner will be designed as an immersive experience, where guests will tour the property, which is a working citrus, persimon and pomegranate ranch, and enjoy a communal meal made with local seasonal ingredients and wines. — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2026

The bar also hosts weekly vinyl collector gatherings around a long communal table and a DJ booth turntable on which guests are welcome to pop on their own selection from the 6,000-strong record collection. — Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026

But we were too caught up in the communal bliss to take a poll of random kids. — Chris Willman, Variety, 7 July 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