communal

[kuh-myoon-l, kom-yuh-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.

communal

/ 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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of communal¹

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

"In particular, we urge people not to congregate outside communal premises and synagogues to keep their doors closed at all times", they said.

From BBC

A communal destination since 2020, the shop has earned a reputation for specializing in notebooks, stickers and pens from Japan.

From Los Angeles Times

May such communal resistance continue to grow in size, commitment and wit.

From Salon

I want to try to be like Kevin Bacon and encourage people to go to the movies and experience communal entertainment again.

From Los Angeles Times

It was musty and slightly astringent, not unlike the communal bin area in his block of flats.

From BBC