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.
Don’t miss: I found a $100 bill in the communal washer at my Airbnb.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 18, 2026
The Sterling Law Building was designed to evoke England’s historic Inns of Court, complete with soaring stone archways, stained-glass windows, carved oak interiors, tranquil courtyards, and communal spaces intended to foster scholarly community.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026
Across the Comunitat Valenciana, that communal arrival changes shape.
From Salon ● Aug. 11, 2026
India ranked second worldwide in internet shutdowns last year, according to Access Now monitor, including localised blackouts during protests, conflict and communal violence.
From Barron's ● Aug. 8, 2026
The Labadists in particular embraced simple communal living and sacrifice in order to flush out the poisons of self-love.
From "The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science" by Joyce Sidman
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.
