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.
He said he later got into silk trading, often sleeping in communal beds with other people as he traveled from town to town buying and selling fabric.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026
With life lessons learned among the bees, communal dinners, and music, King not only helps her gradually integrate into the community, but also passes on his leadership role to her.
From Barron's ● Aug. 13, 2026
Across the Comunitat Valenciana, that communal arrival changes shape.
From Salon ● Aug. 11, 2026
She said: "The guga hunt is a centuries-old tradition which reinforces our unique communal identity and helps families keep ancient Gaelic customs alive and relevant in the modern world."
From BBC ● Aug. 3, 2026
He had been attuned to a shared tension, a communal apprehension beyond the routine facts of their bondage.
From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead
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.
