communal

adjective

com·​mu·​nal kə-ˈmyü-nᵊl 

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

kə-ˈmyü-nə-ˌlīz 

ˈkäm-yə-

transitive verb

communally adverb

Synonyms

• collaborative
• collective
• combined
• common
• concerted
• conjoint
• conjunct
• cooperative
• joint
• multiple
• mutual
• pooled
• public
• shared
• united

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

And in Courchevel 1850, none offers a better blend of privacy, luxury, service and communal convenience than the Six Senses Residences. —Duncan Madden, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024

The residents of Asia Brickell Key’s 123 units are provided a range of amenities that wouldn’t feel out of place in a five-star hotel, including a communal pool, a barbecue area, a fitness center, a grand two-story lobby, 24-hour security, and both tennis and racquetball courts. —Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 26 Nov. 2024

What does come at times as a wonder are the events that pinch their fledgling rapport and threaten to upend their quest for communal harmony. —Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 23 Nov. 2024

Among other features, such as video calling, this new smart display will reportedly be a hub for Apple’s home automation platform, Apple Home, providing a communal household interface for controlling smart devices like lights, locks, security systems, and cameras. —Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, The Verge, 22 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French, from Late Latin communalis, from Latin communis

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing communal

• inter-communal

Kids Definition

communal

adjective

com·​mu·​nal kə-ˈmyün-ᵊl 

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