communion

noun

com·​mu·​nion kə-ˈmyü-nyən 

1

: an act or instance of sharing

2

a

capitalized : 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

capitalized : 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

• 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

The pilgrims are representing the National Eucharistic Revival — a grassroots movement within the Catholic Church in the U.S. to recognize the true presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, rather than the belief that communion is purely symbolic of the body and blood of Christ. —Lillian Ashworth, Oc Register, 18 June 2025

From soul sessions where blunts are passed like communion, to wellness circles embracing CBD for mental health—weed isn’t just recreational. —Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 16 June 2025

The ethnic parishes helped settle these new communities, individually if not in communion with one another. —Geraldo Cadava, New Yorker, 22 May 2025

There have also been various schisms within the Anglican communion in recent years. —Dennis Doyle, The Conversation, 8 May 2025

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