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

George Washington refused to kneel or take communion in the Anglican Church and appeared to hold religious beliefs blending Deism and Unitarianism. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2026

The couple’s focus on human health and ecosystem viability dovetails neatly with their stewardship of a house designed for communion with nature. —Mayer Rus, Architectural Digest, 17 Apr. 2026

The communion is an association of Christian churches, including the Episcopal Church in the United States, that together have more than 100 million members. —ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026

As for the glass, the affinity is with communion wine. —Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 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