communion
C1Formal, literary, religious
Definition
Meaning
1. A state of sharing, exchanging, or holding something in common; intimate fellowship. 2. (Religious) A Christian ceremony commemorating the Last Supper, in which bread and wine are consecrated and consumed (Holy Communion/Eucharist).
A profound spiritual, emotional, or intellectual connection with a person, group, idea, or the natural world.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily uncountable. When used in the sense of a shared belief system, it is often part of the phrase 'communion of...' (e.g., communion of saints). In the religious sense, often capitalised as 'Holy Communion'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both use 'communion' in all senses. 'Holy Communion' is common in both, but 'Eucharist' is more frequent in formal Anglican/Episcopalian and Catholic contexts.
Connotations
Generally identical. The religious sense is primary in everyday language for both.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK English due to the established status of the Church of England and common reference to 'taking communion'.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
communion with [abstract noun/person]in communion with [abstract noun/person]communion of [shared attribute, e.g., saints, believers]to take/receive communionVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “In communion with (nature/the past)”
- “A communion of souls/spirits”
- “Break communion with (formal/religious)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly in 'communion of interests' to describe shared business goals, but highly formal/literary.
Academic
Used in theology, religious studies, philosophy, and literature to describe shared belief, spiritual connection, or the specific sacrament.
Everyday
Primarily in the religious context ('She takes communion every Sunday'). Occasionally literary ('a feeling of communion with the landscape').
Technical
Central term in Christian theology and liturgy for the Eucharistic sacrament.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- 'Communion' is not used as a verb.
American English
- 'Communion' is not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- No adverbial form.
American English
- No adverbial form.
adjective
British English
- Communion elements
- communion rail
American English
- Communion elements
- communion rail
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The family goes to church for communion.
- She felt a deep sense of communion with the other volunteers.
- The poet described a profound communion with the natural world that transcended words.
- Theologians debate whether the communion of saints implies a mystical interconnection among all believers, living and dead.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'COMMUNIty' + 'UNION' = COMMUNION. It's the deep union or connection within a community.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONNECTION IS PHYSICAL JOINING/SHARING FOOD; SPIRITUAL CLOSENESS IS PHYSICAL PROXIMITY.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not a direct translation of 'коммуна' (commune) or 'общение' (communication/conversation).
- The primary religious meaning (причастие) is much more dominant in English than the general 'общение'.
- Do not use for everyday 'communication' or 'chat'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a synonym for casual 'communication' or 'conversation'.
- Treating it as a countable noun for a single instance of the sacrament (usually uncountable: 'I took communion', not 'I took a communion').
- Confusing spelling with 'communism'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'communion' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Its core meaning is 'sharing or intimate fellowship', which is used in secular, literary contexts (e.g., 'communion with nature'). However, the religious meaning is the most common.
Rarely. It's usually uncountable. An exception is in phrases like 'a communion of saints' where it denotes a specific group.
'Communication' is the act of exchanging information. 'Communion' is a state of being deeply connected or sharing on an emotional/spiritual level; it's more profound and less about verbal exchange.
Essentially, yes. 'Eucharist' is the term often used in more formal or theological contexts, while 'Holy Communion' is very common in general Anglican/Protestant usage. 'The Lord's Supper' is another synonym.
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