(functioning as plural) people not of noble birth viewed as forming a political order
(functioning as plural) the lower classes as contrasted to the ruling classes of society; the commonalty
(functioning as singular) a building or hall for dining, recreation, etc, usually attached to a college
(usually functioning as plural) food or rations (esp in the phrase short commons )
A commons is a piece of land that belongs to everyone in a community. The commons in the middle of a village might be a green space that's available for gatherings and celebrations. One way to think of the commons is as public land or space — roadways, town parks, public beaches, and sidewalks could all potentially be defined as part of the commons. Nobody owns the commons, and when some part of it becomes privately owned, it's called privatization. The word commons comes from the Latin root communis, which means both "in common, shared by all, or general," and also "common property."
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Speaking in the commons after the announcement, the Labour MP for Mid Derbyshire Jonathan Davies warned the proposal to cancel the A38 project could mean the area faces an economic hit.
From BBC ● Jun. 30, 2026
Leo writes that modern technology has wonderful benefits like the establishment and ease of worldwide interconnections, the formation of global community and solidarity via the digital commons.
From Slate ● May 28, 2026
Even Maekar’s political analysis cracks when confronted with the visual of Baelor standing in the mud with borrowed armor, fighting off Duncan’s foes, and of the assembled commons cheering for the hedge knight.
From Salon ● Feb. 25, 2026
The sum of all this is a tragedy of the education commons.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 30, 2025
Already they were getting used to much walking on short commons — shorter at any rate than what in the Shire they would have thought barely enough to keep them on their legs.
From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien
In her maiden speech in the House of Commons in October 2024, Fleet said it was her "duty" to speak up for women in her Derbyshire constituency "whose stories are not being told".
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
The House of Commons has been approached for comment.
From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026
In the UK, prime ministers are not directly elected, unlike US or French presidents - they are the leaders of the party with the most MPs in the House of Commons.
From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026
Labour MP for Warrington South Sarah Hall told the Commons she wanted the government to encourage US authorities to reconsider the case.
From BBC ● Jul. 16, 2026
Commons lawn stretched out wide and desolate like some Napoleonic battlefield: churned, sordid, roiled with footprints.
From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
