communion

noun

com·​mu·​nion kə-ˈmyü-nyən 

1

: an act or instance of sharing

2

a

Communion : a Christian sacrament in which consecrated bread and wine are consumed as memorials of Christ's death or as symbols for the realization of a spiritual union between Christ and communicant or as the body and blood of Christ

b

: the act of receiving Communion

c

Communion : the part of a Communion service in which the sacrament is received

3

: intimate fellowship or rapport : communication

sat alone on the mountain, in communion with the wilderness

4

: a body of Christians having a common faith and discipline

the Anglican communion

Synonyms of communion

• solidarity
• friendship
• fellowship
• unity
• rapprochement
• rapport

Examples of communion in a Sentence

She went to the front of the church for Communion.

gradually established a feeling of communion with her fellow physicians

Recent Examples on the Web

As playful as the movie is, its central tale of persecution and resistance plays not like an allegory but like a communion, a linking of the times—the inspiration of conscience by the revelation of past heroism, political and artistic. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026

For nearly a thousand years, the Church of England was aligned with the Catholic Church, until King Henry VIII broke communion with Rome in order to get a divorce and marry Anne Boleyn. —Robbie Griffiths, NPR, 25 Mar. 2026

The rooms Guest rooms at this all-suite hotel were intentionally designed to maximize communion with nature. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Mar. 2026

During her tenure with the archdiocese, her then-12-year-old son Jack was one of 100 area residents selected to receive communion from Pope John Paul II during the pope's September 1987 mass at the Pontiac Silverdome. —Brian McCollum, Freep.com, 15 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin communion-, communio mutual participation, from communis — see common entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing communion

• post-communion
• self-communion

Rhymes for communion

• disunion
• nonunion
• antiunion
• union

Kids Definition

communion

noun

com·​mu·​nion kə-ˈmyü-nyən 

1

capitalized

a

: a Christian sacrament in which bread and wine are partaken of as a commemoration of the last supper of Jesus

b

: the part of the Mass in which the Eucharist is received

2

: friendly communication

3

: a body of Christians having a common faith and discipline