noun
Uncommon
communion
kuh-MYOON-yuhn
Communion (noun) means a deep, often spiritual, sense of connection or shared understanding between people. Example: “The two old friends sat in silent communion, needing no words.”
noun
1
A deep, often spiritual, sense of connection or shared understanding between people.
"The two old friends sat in silent communion, needing no words."
"Hikers often describe a feeling of communion with nature on quiet mountain paths."
"The choir sang in perfect communion, each voice listening to the others."
2
The Christian ritual of sharing consecrated bread and wine, or the bread and wine themselves.
"The congregation lined up to receive communion."
"The priest blessed the bread and wine before offering communion to everyone."
"Children in the village prepared for their first communion at the church."
How to use communion
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA close, shared connection between people, or specifically the Christian sacrament of bread and wine.
Common pairings
take communion
holy communion
a sense of communion
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Word forms
- Plural
- communions
Fill the gap
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The two old friends sat in silent _____, needing no words.
Etymology
From Ecclesiastical Latin communio ("communion, fellowship"), from communis ("common, shared").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for communion
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for communion →
Frequently asked questions
What does “communion” mean?
The word “communion” means a deep, often spiritual, sense of connection or shared understanding between people. In plain terms, a close, shared connection between people, or specifically the Christian sacrament of bread and wine.
How do you pronounce “communion”?
“Communion” is pronounced kuh-MYOON-yuhn (/kəˈmjuːnjən/ in IPA).
How do you use “communion” in a sentence?
Here is “communion” used in a sentence: “The two old friends sat in silent communion, needing no words.”
What part of speech is “communion”?
“Communion” is a noun.
Where does the word “communion” come from?
The word “communion” comes from Latin. From Ecclesiastical Latin communio ("communion, fellowship"), from communis ("common, shared").
Is “communion” a common word?
“Communion” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “communion” have?
“Communion” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a deep, often spiritual, sense of connection or shared understanding between people.
What is the difference between communion and Communion?
Lowercase communion describes a deep, often spiritual sense of connection or shared understanding between people, such as communion with nature. Capitalized Communion refers specifically to the Christian ritual of sharing consecrated bread and wine, or to the bread and wine themselves.
What is the difference between Communion and the Eucharist?
Communion and the Eucharist both refer to the Christian ritual of sharing consecrated bread and wine, and the two terms are largely used interchangeably across denominations. Eucharist is more common in liturgical traditions, while Communion is the broader, more general term.
Can communion be used outside a religious context?
Yes, communion is regularly used in a non-religious sense to describe a feeling of deep connection or shared understanding, such as 'a quiet communion with nature' or 'communion between old friends.' This meaning does not require any reference to the Christian ritual.
