communal

adjective

com·​mu·​nal kə-ˈmyü-nᵊl How to pronounce communal (audio)
ˈkäm-yə-nᵊl
1
: of or relating to one or more communes
a communal organization
2
: of or relating to a community
3
a
: characterized by collective ownership and use of property
b
: participated in, shared, or used in common by members of a group or community
a communal kitchen
gathered for a communal meal
4
: of, relating to, or based on racial or cultural groups
communal violence
communalize transitive verb
communally adverb

Examples of communal in a Sentence

The tribe lived in communal huts. the communal experience of riding on the train
Recent Examples on the Web Space is limited with wooden communal tables for about 12 people inside, and three more tables out front. Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2024 The siblings found a two-part harmony moment, then supported Brice with three-part harmony on the third chorus, creating a sort of communal gathering of the principals for the finale. Tom Roland, Billboard, 20 Mar. 2024 Guests of Oceana can also keep active in the villa's gym or drive their golf cart — one of four — to the club's communal tennis and pickleball courts. Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 20 Mar. 2024 Of course, community education, seed saving, and communal gardening are not new practices or mindsets. Tamara Yakaboski, The Denver Post, 20 Mar. 2024 As a part of Lollapalooza’s commitment to community relations, the festival has also improved communal spaces by funding the Grant Park Tennis and Pickleball Court Project. Jem Aswad, Variety, 19 Mar. 2024 The heart of flamenco lies in the impassioned individual statement in a communal context, a musical conversation. Brian Seibert, New York Times, 18 Mar. 2024 Taylor Hess also came for the time off but found that a Montana fire crew brought communal purpose, something that had been missing in the Midwestern town where she was raised. ProPublica, 16 Mar. 2024 The space features individual dining areas, an open chef’s kitchen, long communal farmhouse tables, unique artwork and a collection of rare bourbons. Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 8 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'communal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French, from Late Latin communalis, from Latin communis

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of communal was in 1796

Dictionary Entries Near communal

Cite this Entry

“Communal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/communal. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

communal

adjective
com·​mu·​nal kə-ˈmyün-ᵊl How to pronounce communal (audio)
ˈkäm-yən-ᵊl
1
: of or relating to a commune or community
2
: shared or used in common by members of a group or community

More from Merriam-Webster on communal

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