communal
Americanadjective
-
used or shared in common by everyone in a group.
a communal jug of wine.
-
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
-
pertaining to a commune or a community.
communal life.
-
engaged in by or involving two or more communities.
communal conflict.
adjective
-
belonging or relating to a community as a whole
-
relating to different groups within a society
communal strife
-
of or relating to a commune or a religious community
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of communal
First recorded in 1805–15; from French, from Latin commūnālis, equivalent to commūn(e) “community, state” + -ālis adjective suffix; see commune 2, -al 1
Explanation
Communal and community both come from Latin communis, "common, of the community." If a pool is communal, it can be used by the members of the community that own it. A communal well in a town without plumbing is a great idea. Until it runs dry, everyone can take responsibility for caring for their water source. A communal drinking cup is not such a great idea — especially if you've got a nasty cold.
Vocabulary lists containing communal
Declaration of the Rights of Woman (1791)
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Things Fall Apart
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Russia - Middle School and High School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Sandra Evans, who manages Bryn Seiont Newydd nursing home in Caernarfon, said they were "very fortunate" to have air conditioning in communal areas.
From BBC • May 20, 2026
With the chorus, it becomes communal, a feel-good jam that empowers eyes to close gently, smiles to form instantly, and hips to sway while hands reach slowly toward the sun.
From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026
The prosecution said reconnaissance of Zeraati began in March 2023 when Stana was stopped by police in a rear communal garden at Zeraati's address in Wimbledon, having flown in from Bucharest.
From BBC • May 18, 2026
Observations show the people use narrow outrigger canoes, live in large communal huts, carry spears, bows and arrows, and wear fibre waistbelts, as well as necklaces and headbands.
From Barron's • May 18, 2026
And there were the communal water fountains, connected to the sparkling clean underground river.
From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French
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.
