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

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

Billed by the curators as a “dialogue,” the show is ultimately more like two voices communing in completely matched unison.
Mapplethorpe’s Artistic Twin | Sarah Moroz | April 8, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The year after reading it, “I began to wonder if I, too, could receive messages during my times of communing with God.”
The Strange Saga of ‘Jesus Calling,’ The Evangelical Bestseller You’ve Never Heard Of | Ruth Graham | February 23, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
I am not sure how helpful that is, except that the communing certainly keeps us from feeling totally isolated in our perplexity.
Susan Minot on Africa, Joseph Kony, and the Limits of Writing About Love | Lea Carpenter | February 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
"Florimond was ever an indifferent swordsman," murmured Marius dreamily, as if communing with himself.
St. Martin's Summer | Rafael Sabatini
I feel convinced that this constant communing aloud with my dog saved my reason.
The Adventures of Louis de Rougemont | Louis de Rougemont

They were seated on the bed in Marys little room, with their arms around each other, communing in low and gentle tones.
The Minister's Wooing | Harriet Beecher Stowe
The Sphinx of Mrs. Pagnell had been communing with himself unwontedly during the recent weeks.
Lord Ormont and his Aminta, Complete | George Meredith
When it reached him he retired from those around him, and remained for some time communing with his own heart and memory.
The Memoirs of General P. H. Sheridan, Complete | General Philip Henry Sheridan

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

Browse