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

When the show moved to the Broadhurst Theatre on Broadway, the directors — Zhailon Levingston and PAC’s artistic head, Bill Rauch — were forced to domesticate that communal energy for a traditional proscenium arch. — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 29 July 2026

She is brought to a refugee camp as part of the official program to recover, exchange, and rehabilitate women who were abducted during the communal violence. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026

For those unable to buy a ticket, fan zones offered communal space to celebrate or lament. — Kian Bakhtiari, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

From the open-plan sitting room, communal dining room, library or terrace, there are views to catch of the Queen Elizabeth plains and Kazinga channel to the south, and the towering Rwenzori Mountains to the west. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 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