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

• fellowship
• rapport
• rapprochement

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

So often, it’s tied up in jubilation, in sweat, in communion with people. —Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 23 Jan. 2025

Ramps and baptismal font: To accommodate people who have trouble taking the steps up to the altar, the plan is to disassemble two communion rails — on the right and left sides of the altar — and use the marble to create two ramps. —Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 26 Nov. 2024

But before legal weed, the Spanish Franciscan Missionaries began planting vineyards in the 18th century (for communion, of course). —Rowan Briggs, The Mercury News, 3 Oct. 2024

The shoes in question are white ballet flats, which any little girl could easily pair with a communion dress. —Arancha Gamo, Glamour, 5 Jan. 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

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