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

Now as the Trump administration works to erase Black history in schools, libraries and beyond, communal Black expression is 2025’s weapon of choice in the pursuit of liberation. —Essence, 24 June 2025

Despite the cosmic energy alluding to privacy, your warrior-like nature feels compelled to partake in complex conversations and communal efforts. —Liz Simmons, StyleCaster, 24 June 2025

Winning means outlasting her counterparts at the compound and competing for prizes — luxury, like champagne, and communal necessities, like a front door. —Rachel Raposas, People.com, 24 June 2025

By late 1974, the communal idealism had soured, undercut by cocaine, burnout, and turf wars among the crew. —Noah Eckstein, HollywoodReporter, 23 June 2025

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

Rhymes for communal

• jejunal
• lagoonal
• monsoonal
• tribunal
• intercommunal

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