communal
UK: ˈkɒmjʊnəl | US: kəˈmjuːnəl
adj. relating to or shared by a community
adj. involving collective participation or ownership
adj. characterized by commonality or mutual sharing
The word "communal" traces back to Latin communis (common), derived from com- (together) and munus (duty, service). The root mun reflects the idea of shared obligations or gifts within a community. Over time, communis evolved into Old French communal, retaining the sense of collective participation. The suffix -al formalized it as an adjective in English, emphasizing relational or shared qualities.
The village has a communal garden where everyone grows vegetables.
They organized a communal meal to celebrate the festival.
The apartment building features a communal laundry room.
Tribal societies often have communal ownership of land.
The project fostered a sense of communal responsibility among residents.