n. 1 a sharing, esp. of thoughts etc.; fellowship (their minds were in communion). 2 participation; a sharing in common (communion of interests). 3 (Communion, Holy Communion) a the Eucharist. b participation in the Communion service. c (attrib.) of or used in the Communion service (Communion-table; Communion-cloth; Communion-rail). 4 fellowship, esp. between branches of the Catholic Church. 5 a body or group within the Christian faith (the Methodist communion). communion of saints fellowship between Christians living and dead.
[ ME f. OF communion or L communio f. communis common ]