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

Since the Second Vatican Council, a council which modernized and renewed the Catholic Church, the norm of receiving communion is to extend the hand or open one’s mouth to receive the bread. —Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 26 Feb. 2026

What is extraordinary is not the teacher (or student), per se, but the underlying experience of teaching and learning as a communion of unique intelligences. —John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026

The sudden flood of oxytocin accompanying the onset of the drug produces feelings of emotional communion, oneness, and openness. —Erica Rex, STAT, 19 Feb. 2026

Faith leaders affiliated with the organizations had visited the Broadview facility weekly for more than a decade to pray with detainees and offer communion. —Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 12 Feb. 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