communion

[ kuh-myoon-yuh n ]
/ kəˈmyun yən /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR communion ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

(often initial capital letter) Also called Holy Communion. Ecclesiastical.
  1. the act of receiving the Eucharistic elements.
  2. the elements of the Eucharist.
  3. the celebration of the Eucharist.
  4. the antiphon sung at a Eucharistic service.
a group of persons having a common religious faith; a religious denomination: Anglican communion.
association; fellowship.
interchange or sharing of thoughts or emotions; intimate communication: communion with nature.
the act of sharing, or holding in common; participation.
the state of things so held.

Origin of communion

1350–1400; Middle English (< Anglo-French) < Latin commūniōn- (stem of commūniō) a sharing, equivalent to commūn(is) common + -iōn- -ion

OTHER WORDS FROM communion

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

Words nearby communion

communications satellite, communicative, communicative competence, communicator, communicology, communion, communion cloth, communion cup, communion of saints, communion plate, communion rail

Words related to communion

intimacy, rapport, togetherness, sacrament, accord, intercourse, concord, converse, closeness, fellowship, unity, contact, intercommunication, participation, sympathy, association, harmony, faith, creed, Eucharist

Example sentences from the Web for communion

British Dictionary definitions for communion (1 of 2)

communion
/ (kəˈmjuːnjən) /

noun

an exchange of thoughts, emotions, etc
possession or sharing in common; participation
(foll by with) strong emotional or spiritual feelings (for) communion with nature
a religious group or denomination having a common body of beliefs, doctrines, and practices
the spiritual union held by Christians to exist between individual Christians and Christ, their Church, or their fellow Christians

Derived forms of communion

communional, adjective communionally, adverb

Word Origin for communion

C14: from Latin commūniō general participation, from commūnis common

British Dictionary definitions for communion (2 of 2)

Communion
/ (kəˈmjuːnjən) /

noun Christianity

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

Cultural definitions for communion

Communion

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.)