communion

[ kuh-myoon-yuhn ]

noun

1. Often Communion. Also called Holy Communion. Christianity.
   1. the celebration of the Eucharist .
   2. the act of receiving the Eucharistic elements.
   3. the elements of the Eucharist; the consecrated bread and wine.
   4. the antiphon sung at a Eucharistic service.
2. a group of persons having a common religious faith; a religious denomination:

   The Church of Pakistan is part of the Anglican communion.

   The organization promotes Islamic solidarity and fosters a sense of belonging to the Islamic communion worldwide.

3. a group of people sharing a profession, hobby, interest, etc.:

   Just as there are rascals in the communion of bankers, editors, doctors, or barbers, so there are rascals among fishermen.

4. interchange or sharing of thoughts or emotions; intimate communication:

   Each day I spend some time walking the trails in communion with nature.

   The two enjoyed a wordless communion in the comfort of each other’s company.

5. association; fellowship:

   Light has no communion with darkness.

6. the act of sharing something or holding it in common, or the state of something so held:

   Fundamental to Scots law was the “communion of goods,” the joint ownership of property by spouses.

communion

¹

/ kəˈmjuːnjən /

noun

1. an exchange of thoughts, emotions, etc
2. possession or sharing in common; participation
3. foll by with strong emotional or spiritual feelings (for)

   communion with nature

4. a religious group or denomination having a common body of beliefs, doctrines, and practices
5. the spiritual union held by Christians to exist between individual Christians and Christ, their Church, or their fellow Christians

Communion

²

/ kəˈmjuːnjən /

noun

1. the act of participating in the Eucharist
2. the celebration of the Eucharist, esp the part of the service during which the consecrated elements are received
3. 1. the consecrated elements of the Eucharist
   2. ( as modifier )

      Communion cup

Communion

1. A sacrament of Christianity . In a reenactment of the Last Supper , the words of Jesus — “This is my body” and “This is my blood” — are spoken over bread and wine (the elements of Communion), which are then shared by the worshipers. Communion, also known as the Eucharist , commemorates the death of Jesus. ( See transubstantiation .)

Derived Forms

• comˈmunionally, adverb
• comˈmunional, adjective

Other Words From

• com·mun·ion·a·ble adjective
• com·mun·ion·al adjective
• self-com·mun·ion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of communion¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin commūniōn-, stem of commūniō “mutual participation, sharing,” from commūn(is) common + -iō -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of communion¹

C14: from Latin commūniō general participation, from commūnis common

Example Sentences

Dr Bray also has a portable communion kit, which he said allowed him to celebrate mass in people's houses.

From BBC

He went to services every Sunday and made his first communion and confirmation, but admits that he never connected to the religion.

From Los Angeles Times

That weekend premiere was shared communion, the audience gasping as one as the Batwing shot upward to fill the Batlight of the moon.

From Salon

Earlier that morning, Father Frank Cancro, 74, the National Circus Chaplain, laid out water, wine, communion wafers and a cross on a folding table adorned with a black tablecloth.

From Los Angeles Times

The environment and the clothes are in communion with each other, Solis says.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• intimacy
• rapport
• togetherness