# communion

/kəmˈjunjən/ (US) · /kəmjˈuːniən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/communion
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. mental or spiritual connection

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

a feeling of being very close to someone or something, as if you share the same thoughts or spirit.

For teachers: the sharing or exchanging of intimate thoughts and feelings, especially when the level of connection is mental or spiritual.

- He felt a deep communion with nature while walking alone in the forest.
- The two artists worked in silent communion, each intuitively understanding the other's creative process without the need for verbal instruction.

### 2. religious ceremony

noun · CEFR B2

a Christian ceremony where people eat bread and drink wine to remember Jesus Christ.

For teachers: the Christian sacrament in which bread and wine are consecrated and consumed; also referred to as the Eucharist or the Lord's Supper.

- The children wore white clothes for their first communion at the church.
- The priest invited the congregation to approach the altar for communion at the conclusion of the morning service.

Usage: Often capitalized as 'Holy Communion' when referring to the specific rite.

### 3. religious group

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal

a group of Christian churches that have the same beliefs and work together.

For teachers: a body of Christians who have a common faith and discipline and who mutually recognise each other's membership.

- The Anglican Communion is a large family of churches across the world.
- The theological differences between the two branches made it difficult for them to remain in full communion with one another.

## Examples

- She felt a deep communion with nature while hiking.
- The poet spent hours in silent communion with the landscape, finding inspiration in the quiet movement of the trees.
- The ritual was designed to foster a sense of spiritual communion among the participants, transcending their individual differences through shared silence and reflection.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.