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

• collaborative
• collective
• combined
• common
• concerted
• conjoint
• conjunct
• cooperative
• joint
• multiple
• mutual
• pooled
• public
• shared
• united

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

There, he’s often reminded that cinema is a big screen, communal experience. —Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 27 Sep. 2024

For Vyas, mismatched floors is a problem when your primary communal areas are noticeably inconsistent. —Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 24 Sep. 2024

The vibe: Comfy and super cute — full of house plants, bright colors, patterns and communal seating areas. —Arika Herron, Axios, 23 Sep. 2024

Their success also suggests that what theaters provide — the communal experience of sharing a movie with like-minded people — remains a distinct asset, separate from home platforms. —Tom Brueggemann, IndieWire, 11 Sep. 2024

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

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