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noun Common

commons

KO-muhnz
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Commons (noun) means a shared public space, such as a dining hall at a university or a central green in a town. Example: “We met for lunch in the commons, where the dining hall serves cheap pasta.”

noun
1
A shared public space, such as a dining hall at a university or a central green in a town.
"We met for lunch in the commons, where the dining hall serves cheap pasta."
"Children played football on the commons while their parents sat in the sun."
"Students gathered in the commons before their morning classes."
2
Ordinary people as a group, historically distinguished from nobility and clergy.
"In medieval times, the commons had little say in how the land was governed."
"The king's new tax angered the commons across the kingdom."
"The revolution was led by representatives of the commons."

How to use commons

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA shared space or resource, or (capitalized as "the Commons") the elected lower house of the UK Parliament.

UK vs US

In the UK, "the Commons" almost always refers to the House of Commons; in the US, "commons" more often means a shared dining or gathering area on campus.

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We met for lunch in the _____, where the dining hall serves cheap pasta.

Etymology

A shortened form of "House of Commons," itself from common in the sense of "the ordinary people."

Synonyms

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green quad populace commoners masses public park commonalty commonality common

Related words

public general community special common park green individual

Frequently asked questions

What does “commons” mean?
The word “commons” means a shared public space, such as a dining hall at a university or a central green in a town. In plain terms, a shared space or resource, or (capitalized as "the Commons") the elected lower house of the UK Parliament.
How do you pronounce “commons”?
“Commons” is pronounced KO-muhnz (/ˈkɑmənz/ in IPA).
How do you use “commons” in a sentence?
Here is “commons” used in a sentence: “Students gathered in the commons before their morning classes.”
What part of speech is “commons”?
“Commons” is a noun.
Is “commons” a common word?
“Commons” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “commons” have?
“Commons” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a shared public space, such as a dining hall at a university or a central green in a town.
What is the difference between commons and common?
"Common" is usually an adjective meaning ordinary or shared, while "commons" is a noun referring to a shared public space or to ordinary people as a group. A village common (open land) is often called the commons, and "the commons" can also mean the general population.
What is the difference between the commons and common ground?
"The commons" is a noun meaning a shared public space or ordinary people as a group. "Common ground" is a separate phrase meaning shared beliefs or interests that people can agree on, and the two should not be confused.
Why are ordinary people called the commons?
Historically, "the commons" referred to ordinary people as a group, distinguished from the nobility and clergy. This is the sense behind the name of the House of Commons, the elected chamber representing the general population.

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