COMMUNAL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does communal mean? 

• COMMUNAL (adjective)
  The adjective COMMUNAL has 2 senses:

1. for or by a group rather than individuals

2. relating to a small administrative district or community

  Familiarity information: COMMUNAL used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• COMMUNAL (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

For or by a group rather than individuals

Context example:

a group effort

Similar:

common (belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public)

Derivation:

communalize (make something the property of the commune or community)

community (common ownership)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Relating to a small administrative district or community

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Context example:

communal elections in several European countries

Pertainym:

commune (the smallest administrative district of several European countries)

Derivation:

communalize (make something the property of the commune or community)

 Context examples 

As nomadic as the Kalahari's San Bushmen, D'Odorico and Okin move from place to place, setting up camp in game reserves, local village farms and communal lands to study the desert's dunes.

(Sleeping sands of the Kalahari awaken after more than 10,000 years, NSF)