communal

1 of 2

adjective

com·​mu·​nal kə-ˈmyü-nᵊl How to pronounce communal (audio)
ˈkäm-yə-nᵊl
Synonyms of communal
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

communalize

2 of 2

transitive verb

com·​mu·​nal·​ize kə-ˈmyü-nə-ˌlīz How to pronounce communalize (audio)
ˈkäm-yə-nə-
-ed/-ing/-s
: to make communal
specifically : to subject to the rights, methods, organization, or ownership of a community

Examples of communal in a Sentence

Adjective The tribe lived in communal huts. the communal experience of riding on the train
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
The Nordic communal goal is a focus on holistic well-being that can be sustained over the long term by every individual, from professional athletes in their prime to elders. — Lola Akinmade, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026 Librarian Regina Andrews, known for her salons, exudes the dignified air of a beloved host, vividly describing the communal groundswell every young thinker and creative then could sense happening. — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026 There are also communal ossuaries, where the deceased’s bones are mixed with the bones of others, either immediately or after a certain period of time. — Mimi Hanaoka, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2026 Contrast therapy clubs are pulling in a crowd that would once have met at a bar, as younger adults trade cocktails for communal saunas and cold plunges. — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for communal

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

French, from Late Latin communalis, from Latin communis

First Known Use

Adjective

1796, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of communal was in 1796

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Communal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/communal. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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
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