Definition of 'commune'

Word Frequency

commune

Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense communes, present participle communing , past tense, past participle communed pronunciation note: The noun is pronounced (kɒmjuːn ). The verb is pronounced (kəmjuːn ).

1. countable noun

A commune is a group of people who live together and share everything.

Mack lived in a commune.

2. countable noun

In France and some other countries, a commune is a town, village, or area which has its own council.

3. verb

If you say that someone is communing with an animal or spirit, or with nature, you mean that they appear to be communicating with it.

[literary]

He was so happy communing with the dolphin in Dingle Bay. [VERB with noun]

She would happily trot behind him as he set off to commune with nature. [VERB + with]

More Synonyms of commune

Video: pronunciation of 'commune'

Word Frequency

commune in British 1

verb (kəˈmjuːn ) (intransitive; usually foll by with)

to talk or converse intimately

to experience strong emotion or spiritual feelings (for)

to commune with nature

noun (ˈkɒmjuːn )

intimate conversation; exchange of thoughts; communion

Word origin of 'commune'

C13: from Old French comuner to hold in common, from comun common

Word Frequency

commune in British 2

(kəˈmjuːn )

verb

(intransitive) Christianity, mainly US

to partake of Communion

Word origin of 'commune'

C16: back formation from communion

Word Frequency

commune in British 3

(ˈkɒmjuːn )

noun

a group of families or individuals living together and sharing possessions and responsibilities

any small group of people having common interests or responsibilities

the smallest administrative unit in Belgium, France, Italy, and Switzerland, governed by a mayor and council

the government or inhabitants of a commune

a medieval town enjoying a large degree of autonomy

Word origin of 'commune'

C18: from French, from Medieval Latin commūnia, from Latin: things held in common, from commūnis common

Word Frequency

Commune in British

(ˈkɒmjuːn )

noun French history

1. Paris Commune

a committee that governed Paris during the French Revolution and played a leading role in the Reign of Terror: suppressed 1794

Word Frequency

commune in American 1

(ˈkɑmˌjun ; kämˈyo̅onˌ)

noun

1. Archaic

the common people

a community

; specif.,

a local body for self-government, esp. in medieval towns

b. Obsolete

a mir

the smallest administrative district of local government in France, Belgium, and some other countries in Europe

a strictly organized collective farm, as in China

5. US

a small group of people living communally and sharing in work, earnings, etc.

Idioms:

the Commune

Word origin of 'commune'

ME & OFr < ML communia, orig. pl. of L commune, lit., that which is common < communis, common

Word Frequency

commune in American 2

(kəˈmjun ; kəmyo̅onˈ; for n. ˈkɑmˌjun ; kämˈyo̅onˌ)

verb intransitiveWord forms: comˈmuned or comˈmuning

to talk together intimately

to be in close spiritual harmony (with)

to commune with nature

2. Archaic

to receive Holy Communion

noun

3. OLD-FASHIONED, Poetic

intimate conversation

Idioms:

commune with oneself

Word origin of 'commune'

ME communen < OFr comuner, to make common, share < comun (see common); also < OFr communier, to administer the sacrament < L communicare, to share (LL(Ec), to receive the sacrament): see communicate

Example sentences containing 'commune'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

He insisted that you were a member of his commune, born there and belonging there. Adams, N I.O.U. - SOMEONE HAS TO PAY (2000)`Then again, I doubt she'd have told you about the film she made while she was staying at the commune. MacNeill, Alastair CODE BREAKER (2000)I learned to feel the land in a new way, to hear its murmurs, to shepherd its resources, to commune with its vastness. Appiganesi, Lisa DREAMS OF INNOCENCE (2000)

Trends of 'commune'

Used Occasionally. commune is one of the 30000 most commonly used words in the Collins dictionary

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Translations for 'commune'

British English: commune NOUN

A commune is a group of people who live together and share everything.

They lived in a commune.

American English: commune
Brazilian Portuguese: comuna
Chinese: 群居团体
European Spanish: comuna
French: communauté
German: Kommune
Italian: comune
Japanese: 生活共同体
Korean: 공동 생활체
European Portuguese: comuna
Spanish: comuna

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Nearby words of 'commune'

Related Terms of 'commune'

Source

Definition of commune from the Collins English Dictionary

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