communal

American  

[kuh-myoon-l, kom-yuh-nl] / kəˈmyun l, ˈkɒm yə nl /

adjective

1. used or shared in common by everyone in a group.

   a communal jug of wine.

2. of, by, or belonging to the people of a community; shared or participated in by the public.

   communal land; Building the playground was a communal project.

   Synonyms:

   collective, common, public

3. pertaining to a commune or a community.

   communal life.

4. engaged in by or involving two or more communities.

   communal conflict.

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communal British  

/ ˌkɒmjʊˈnælɪtɪ, ˈkɒmjʊnəl /

adjective

1. belonging or relating to a community as a whole

2. relating to different groups within a society

   communal strife

3. of or relating to a commune or a religious community

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Other Word Forms

• communality noun
• communally adverb
• intercommunal adjective
• noncommunal adjective
• noncommunally adverb
• uncommunal adjective

Etymology

Origin of communal

First recorded in 1805–15; from French, from Latin commūnālis, equivalent to commūn(e) “community, state” + -ālis adjective suffix; commune ², -al ¹

Example Sentences

“Digital games have only extended the range of games available, not replaced it. Many people prefer to maintain the real-life experience of handling traditional materials in a communal, real-life setting.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Much of the food given goes to communal free kitchens.

From BBC

The people of Minneapolis have displayed remarkable communal character in their relentless and peaceful battle against the government’s incursion into their private life.

From Los Angeles Times

The outgoing interim government says that between January and December 2025, police records show 645 incidents involving minorities but insists that nearly nine in 10 were not communal.

From BBC

Perhaps that atomization is why large communal events are still so popular.

From The Wall Street Journal