cominform: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare / HistoricalHistorical / Academic / Political
Quick answer
What does “cominform” mean?
The name of the Communist Information Bureau, a historical international organization for coordinating European communist parties under Soviet leadership, established in 1947.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The name of the Communist Information Bureau, a historical international organization for coordinating European communist parties under Soviet leadership, established in 1947.
Used as a metonym for centralized communist political control and propaganda from the Soviet Union during the early Cold War period, especially in Eastern Europe.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant variation in meaning or usage; its application is uniform in historical discourse.
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes Soviet ideological dominance, the division of Europe, and Stalinist-era politics.
Frequency
Equally rare and historical in both BrE and AmE; more likely to appear in specialized historical or political texts.
Grammar
How to Use “cominform” in a Sentence
The [proper noun] was established in 1947.[Country/Party] was a member of the Cominform.The Cominform expelled [Party/Country] in [year].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cominform” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Cominform resolution was a major turning point.
- He studied Cominform-era propaganda.
American English
- The Cominform meeting took place in Poland.
- She wrote about Cominform policies.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical, political science, and Cold War studies to discuss Soviet influence in post-war Europe.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
Specific to historical/political analysis of 20th-century communism and international relations.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cominform”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cominform”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cominform”
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'a cominform of parties').
- Misspelling as 'Comminform' or 'Cominiform'.
- Confusing its timeframe (1947-1956) with the earlier Comintern.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the Cominform was dissolved in 1956 as part of the Soviet Union's policy of de-Stalinization and peaceful coexistence.
The Comintern (Third International, 1919-1943) aimed to foment worldwide proletarian revolution. The Cominform (1947-1956) was a more limited bureau for coordinating existing communist parties, primarily in Europe, during the early Cold War.
No, it is strictly a proper noun. Using it as a verb (e.g., 'to cominform the parties') is non-standard and would not be understood.
It is a key term for understanding the institutional mechanisms of Soviet control in Eastern Europe during the early Cold War, a pivotal period in 20th-century history.
The name of the Communist Information Bureau, a historical international organization for coordinating European communist parties under Soviet leadership, established in 1947.
Cominform is usually historical / academic / political in register.
Cominform: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒm.ɪn.fɔːm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑː.mɪn.fɔːrm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: COMmunist INFORMATION Bureau = COMINFORM. It was the Soviet Union's way of 'informing' and controlling European communist parties.
Conceptual Metaphor
An ideological steering committee; a tool of political control.
Practice
Quiz
What was the primary purpose of the Cominform?