/ ˈkɒmjunɪzəm; NAmE ˈkɑːm-/ noun [ U ]
1.
a political movement that believes in an economic system in which the state controls the means of producing everything on behalf of the people. It aims to create a society in which everyone is treated equally.
2.
Communism the system of government by a ruling Communist Party, such as in the former Soviet Union
—compare capitalism
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 19th cent.: from French communisme , from commun , from Latin communis common.