What does "commune" mean?
A small community, often rural, whose members share in the ownership of property, and in the division of labour; the members of such a community.
Commune
/ˈkɒmjuːn/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A small community, often rural, whose members share in the ownership of property, and in the division of labour; the members of such a community.
- Grammar: commune is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: archbishopric, archdiocese, arrondissement, ashram.
- Useful contrasts: avoid, countryside, decline.
- Usage evidence: Tom lives in a commune with hippies.
How to use "commune"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "commune" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "commune" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "commune" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "commune" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "commune" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "archbishopric" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "commune", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A small community, often rural, whose members share in the ownership of property, and in the division of labour; the members of such a community. countable, uncountable
"The town of Chu-chou in Hunan Province, carrying out the great directive of Chairman Mao that "educated youths must go to the villages," has put into practice factory-commune links, and under the leadership of cadres, has made a collective settlement of educated youths in commune and brigade farms, forest areas, and tea plantations."
- 2 a body of people or families living together and sharing everything wordnet
- 3 A local political division in many European countries as well as their former colonies (such as Chile and Vietnam). countable, uncountable
- 4 the smallest administrative district of several European countries wordnet
- 5 The commonalty; the common people. countable, obsolete, uncountable
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 Communion; sympathetic conversation between friends. obsolete, uncountable
"For days of happy commune dead."
- 7 A self-governing city or league of citizens. countable, historical, uncountable
"In 1117 the commune and archbishop had separate consuls at Milan."
Verb
- 1 To converse together with sympathy and confidence; to interchange sentiments or feelings; to take counsel.
"I would commune with you of such things / That want no ear but yours."
- 2 communicate intimately with; be in a state of heightened, intimate receptivity wordnet
- 3 To communicate (with) spiritually; to be together (with); to contemplate or absorb. intransitive
"He spent a week in the backcountry, communing with nature."
- 4 receive Communion, in the Catholic church wordnet
- 5 To receive the communion. intransitive
"Namely, in these things, in prohibiting that none should commune alone, in making the People whole Communers, or in suffering them to Commune under both kinds […]"
Antonyms
Example
"Tom lives in a commune with hippies."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "commune"?
Common synonyms include: archbishopric, archdiocese, arrondissement, ashram, bailiwick, bishopric.
How do you use "commune" in a sentence?
Tom lives in a commune with hippies.
How do you pronounce "commune"?
Pronounced /ˈkɒmjuːn/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English commune, comune, from Old French comune, commune, from Medieval Latin commūnia, from Latin commūne (“community, state”), from commūnis (“common”). Doublet of comune. See also community, communion, common.
Etymology 2
From Middle English communen, comunen, from Old French comuner (formed from comun (“common”)) and comunier (“to share”) (from Latin commūnico). Doublet of communicate.