commonality

American  

[kom-uh-nal-i-tee] / ˌkɒm əˈnæl ɪ ti /

noun

plural

commonalities

1. a sharing of features or characteristics in common; possession or manifestation of common attributes.

2. a feature or characteristic held in common.

   Historians perceive commonalities of behavior in many eras.

3. commonalty.

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commonality British  

/ ˌkɒməˈnælɪtɪ /

noun

1. the fact of being common to more than one individual; commonness

2. another word for commonalty

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Etymology

Origin of commonality

1350–1400; Middle English; partial Latinization of commonalty, on basis of presumed Latin *commūnālitās ( see -ity)

Example Sentences

Even on the Middle East there was commonality.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

That commonality, and the seemingly insatiable demand for electrons from those power-hungry AI data centers, is creating some surprising opportunities for companies.

From Barron's • Dec. 11, 2025

The phrase, of disputed origin, is used to suggest a commonality between people of all creeds and races, a suggestion that people are all the same under the skin.

From BBC • Sep. 18, 2025

That commonality is well understood among backpackers, and when I travel, I relish in fueling those memorable experiences.

From Salon • Mar. 6, 2025

I thought that once the heated polemics had cooled, the essential commonality of the struggle would bring us together.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela