commune
KOM-yoon
/ˈkɒmjuːn/
A group of people living together and sharing possessions and responsibilities; as a verb, to feel in close, intimate communication with.
Implies a intentionally non-traditional social structure built around collective property and shared lifestyle values.
The story behind the word. In medieval France, a 'commune' was a self-governing town charter established by citizens to secure autonomy from feudal lords. During the 19th and 20th centuries (most famously the Paris Commune of 1871), the term evolved to describe intentional communities sharing land and wealth.
Word relationships
- collective: 'Collective' emphasizes economic cooperation, while 'commune' implies a shared residential and lifestyle community.
- cooperative: 'Cooperative' is a business model where members share profits/ownership; 'commune' covers daily living quarters and domestic life.
- isolation: Living completely apart from societal and group connections.
Commonly confused with
- community: A community is a broad group living in the same area; a commune involves shared living space and shared assets.
Word family
- communal (adjective): Shared by all members of a community; for common use.
- communalism (noun): A system of communal organization and shared property.
Collocations
- rural commune
- communal living
- commune with nature
- establish a commune
Idioms & expressions
- commune with nature
Example sentences
- "In the late 1960s, thousands of young adults abandoned urban life to form rural eco-communes across Oregon." Social history
- "He spent two weeks alone in the wilderness to commune with nature away from city noise." Spiritual practice (verb usage)
Memory hook
In a COMMUNE, everything is COMMON property. Sharing life and assets in common.
When not to use
Do not use 'commune' as a noun to describe a standard apartment complex or suburban neighborhood.
Fun facts
- The Paris Commune of 1871 lasted for just two months but became a foundational symbol for socialist and anarchist political theory globally.
Explore more words
communal, camaraderie, intimacy, Communicate, fellowship, clan
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