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
- communality noun
- communally adverb
- intercommunal adjective
- noncommunal adjective
- noncommunally adverb
- uncommunal adjective
Etymology
Origin of communal
First recorded in 1805–15; from French, from Latin commūnālis, equivalent to commūn(e) “community, state” + -ālis adjective suffix; commune 2, -al 1
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.
The author argues that, while many popular titles keep gamers locked in their rooms shut off from the world, Nintendo games have a communal quality.
Advocates gave a “know your rights” workshop and Amalfitano led a piñata bashing, what the store owner called “a communal form of catharsis,” encouraging students to let out pent-up emotions in a safe way.
From Los Angeles Times
"Anything outside your own classroom where you're not in control is extremely volatile and staff and students are worried about stepping into communal spaces at any time."
From BBC
"In the summer it can be quite foul," says Jackie, of the smell from the communal bin.
From BBC
As the sun sets, Palestinians in Gaza gather at communal tables for the fast-breaking meal of iftar during Ramadan.
From Barron's
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.
