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

For example, mobile refuge rooms by the nonprofit and real estate collective Designing Justice + Designing Spaces presents 10-by-10-foot, modular transitional units for people leaving prison, meant to be clustered in a communal environment. —Jacoba Urist, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Nov. 2024

The communal themes continued throughout the day, exuded by Hairtok 101, Inside Mielle, and the first Beauty Trailblazers panel featuring Summer Fridays. —Akili King, Essence, 4 Nov. 2024

Document a friend’s narration of efforts to counter racial violence—stories of resilience, perseverance, communal support and hope. —Gerui Wang, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024

Carlson’s brand of nationalism plays on a range of desires, from the lowest to the loftiest: the yearning for communal cohesion, for satisfying work, for a life rich with meaning. —Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 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