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communal

communal

9 3.7
Relating to the local government and services in a town
  • adjective
  • /kəˈmjunəl/
translation icon : municipal
  • Migrants' symbolic identification with Southern foodways was reinforced as communal meals continued at family dinners, holidays, and community gatherings.
  • communal land
  • communal palace
  • communal conflict

Examples

  • In Sandel's view, Democrats often seem determined to avoid those communal, moral concerns, to their political detriment.

    Academic text (1999)
  • The drive for security, combined with the ambitions and fears of communal leaders, has frequently undermined African peace agreements.

    Academic text (1995)
  • For this reason, the good society involves communal control of economic as well as political power.

    Academic text (1990)
  • As water resources are located in their communal territories, communities considered them a part of their collective property.

    Academic text (2017)
  • The history of health care is inseparable from the total history of communal organization of the economy.

    Academic text (1994)
  • All base personnel to report to communal area at 1800 hours.

  • The three volumes of his major work are subtitled "A Study in Communal Psychology."

    Academic text (1990)
  • There is scarcely a major national or communal event in which Catholic priests or rituals are not involved.

    Academic text (1990)
  • The local council organized a meeting to discuss communal issues affecting the neighborhood.

  • Residents are encouraged to participate in communal elections to voice their opinions.

Synonyms

civic
vscommunal
149 3.2

Relating to a city, its people, and their community duties

focuses on local administration services and elections rather than citizen duties
municipal
vscommunal
141 4.2

Relating to a city or town and its local government

covers local administrative districts and local area services including elections

Compounds

A life where people share a home, chores, and costs

Surface Forms

communal positive

Morphology

communal = commune (semi-transparent) = commune + al

The adjective is clearly built from commune + -al, but the administrative-district sense is somewhat specialized and less predictable for learners.

Etymology

The word communal comes from the Latin communis meaning 'shared' and is the same root as community and common. So when used for local government, communal means 'relating to the community' or the town's council.