commune

[ verb kuh-myoon; noun kom-yoon ]

See synonyms for: commune communing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object),com·muned, com·mun·ing.

to converse or talk together, usually with profound intensity, intimacy, etc.; interchange thoughts or feelings.
to be in intimate communication or rapport: to commune with nature.

noun

interchange of ideas or sentiments.

Origin of commune

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English com(m)unen “to share, have in common, associate with, tell stories, communicate,” from Middle French com(m)uner, com(m)uniier “to make common, have in common, share,” derivative of comun common

Other words from commune

com·mun·er, noun

Words Nearby commune

Other definitions for commune (2 of 3)

commune²

[ kom-yoon ]

noun

a small group of persons living together, sharing possessions, work, income, etc., and often pursuing unconventional lifestyles.
a close-knit community of people who share common interests.

the smallest administrative division in France, Italy, Switzerland, etc., governed by a mayor assisted by a municipal council.
a similar division in some other country.
any community organized for the protection and promotion of local interests, and subordinate to the state.
the government or citizens of a commune.
people's commune.
the Commune. Also called Commune of Paris, Paris Commune.
- a revolutionary committee that took the place of the municipality of Paris in the revolution of 1789, usurped the authority of the state, and was suppressed by the National Convention in 1794.
- a socialistic government of Paris from March 18 to May 27, 1871.

Origin of commune

First recorded in 1785–95; from French, from Medieval Latin commūna, commūnia (feminine singular), alteration of Latin commūne (neuter singular), or commūnia (neuter plural) “community, state,” originally neuter of commūnis common

Other definitions for commune (3 of 3)

commune³

[ kuh-myoon ]

verb (used without object),com·muned, com·mun·ing.

to partake of the Eucharist.

Origin of commune

First recorded in 1325–1375; Middle English; back formation from communion

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use commune in a sentence

It can be just as revelatory for the casual weekend car-camper as it is for the committed section hiker, a chance to commune with nature just a bit more intimately.
An Ode to Cowboy Camping | awise | July 27, 2021 | Outside Online
She calls for strong legal measures, such as conservation easements that prevent logging, but also recognizes the need to convey the emotional power of communing with nature.
The first step in using trees to slow climate change: Protect the trees we have | Susan Milius | July 13, 2021 | Science News
Even spending time with the tree in your front yard can offer what Milius describes as the emotional power of communing with nature.
Tasking trees with averting the climate crisis is a big ask | Nancy Shute | July 3, 2021 | Science News
A morning excursion would be our family’s last chance together to commune with the humpbacks.
A Maui vacation in three acts | Alex Pulaski | February 12, 2021 | Washington Post
Dearie acknowledged the toll the coronavirus pandemic has taken on panda lovers in the Washington region, who are unable to commune in person with the animals.
Baby panda makes debut — online — at National Zoo | Dana Hedgpeth, Justin Wm. Moyer | January 27, 2021 | Washington Post

Even if there were cows, they belonged to the commune and no one was allowed to slaughter them or consume them.
An Oral History of Mao’s Greatest Crime | Zhou Xun | November 24, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
“I grew up in a very special family, on a commune, and I loved it,” he says.
Denmark Has a Riveting New Drama Starring Mads Mikkelsen | Marlow Stern | July 14, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Today's commune members strive to reconcile communal responsibility with individual ambitions and aspirations.
The Kibbutz Movement’s Lessons For Communal Living Today | Daniel Gavron | May 7, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
What typifies the modern commune is the fact that it has learnt from earlier mistakes.
The Kibbutz Movement’s Lessons For Communal Living Today | Daniel Gavron | May 7, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
“I went there to study F. Scott Fitzgerald and Hemingway, and I moved in next door to a commune of heroin addicts,” Lawford says.
Christopher Kennedy Lawford, Patrick Kennedy Talk Addiction, New Book | Lloyd Grove | January 9, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
La harangue devoit finir en l'adieu et comploration commune de tous.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614 | Various
He also instituted primary schools in every commune, and started an cole Normale for the training of teachers.
Napoleon's Marshals | R. P. Dunn-Pattison
Have you come to commune once more with the sweet gentle spirit before it passes away?
By Birth a Lady | George Manville Fenn
The head of a commune is the Administrator, and the corporation is known as the Municipal Chamber.
Spanish Life in Town and Country | L. Higgin and Eugne E. Street
When the bell of the belfry shall sound to assemble the commune, anyone who does not attend shall pay a fine of twelve sous.
The Pilgrim's Shell or Fergan the Quarryman | Eugne Sue

British Dictionary definitions for commune (1 of 4)

commune¹

verb(kəˈmjuːn) (intr usually foll by with)

to talk or converse intimately
to experience strong emotion or spiritual feelings (for): to commune with nature

noun(ˈkɒmjuːn)

intimate conversation; exchange of thoughts; communion

Origin of commune

C13: from Old French comuner to hold in common, from comun common

British Dictionary definitions for commune (2 of 4)

commune²

/ (kəˈmjuːn) /

verb

(intr) Christianity, mainly US to partake of Communion

Origin of commune

C16: back formation from communion

British Dictionary definitions for commune (3 of 4)

commune³

/ (ˈkɒmjuːn) /

noun

a group of families or individuals living together and sharing possessions and responsibilities
any small group of people having common interests or responsibilities

the smallest administrative unit in Belgium, France, Italy, and Switzerland, governed by a mayor and council
the government or inhabitants of a commune
a medieval town enjoying a large degree of autonomy

Origin of commune

C18: from French, from Medieval Latin commūnia, from Latin: things held in common, from commūnis common

British Dictionary definitions for Commune (4 of 4)

Commune

/ (ˈkɒmjuːn) /

nounFrench history

See Paris Commune
a committee that governed Paris during the French Revolution and played a leading role in the Reign of Terror: suppressed 1794

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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