noun
Common
communism
KOM-yoo-nih-zm
Communism (noun) means a political and economic system in which property and the means of production are owned collectively rather than by individuals. Example: “In history class we studied how communism spread across several countries.”
noun
1
A political and economic system in which property and the means of production are owned collectively rather than by individuals.
"In history class we studied how communism spread across several countries."
"Some museums show everyday life under communism, from schools to shops."
"The party promised to abolish private property and establish communism."
How to use communism
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA system where resources and production are shared collectively instead of privately owned — as opposed to capitalism.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
under communism
the fall of communism
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Word forms
- Plural
- communisms
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In history class we studied how _____ spread across several countries.
Etymology
From French communisme, built from commun ("common") and the suffix -isme, in the mid-1800s.
Class of 1800
communism joined the language around 1800.
See the full Class of 1800 →
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “communism” mean?
The word “communism” means a political and economic system in which property and the means of production are owned collectively rather than by individuals. In plain terms, a system where resources and production are shared collectively instead of privately owned — as opposed to capitalism.
How do you pronounce “communism”?
“Communism” is pronounced KOM-yoo-nih-zm ([ˈkɑ.mju.nɪ.zm̩] in IPA).
How do you use “communism” in a sentence?
Here is “communism” used in a sentence: “The party promised to abolish private property and establish communism.”
What part of speech is “communism”?
“Communism” is a noun.
Where does the word “communism” come from?
The word “communism” dates back to around 1800 and comes from French. From French communisme, built from commun ("common") and the suffix -isme, in the mid-1800s.
Is “communism” a common word?
“Communism” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between communism and socialism?
Communism is a political and economic system in which property and the means of production are owned collectively rather than by individuals, aiming for a classless society. Socialism is a broader term that also emphasizes collective or state control of resources but can include a wider range of systems that still allow some private ownership or market activity.
What does it mean for property to be owned collectively under communism?
Under communism, property and the means of production, such as factories, land, and resources, are owned collectively by the community or state rather than by private individuals. This is intended to replace private ownership and individual profit with shared control of economic resources.
Is communism the same as a specific country's government?
No, communism refers to the underlying political and economic system based on collective ownership, not any single country. Different countries and movements have implemented or claimed to implement communism in different ways throughout history.
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