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).
Phrases and idioms:
communion of saints fellowship between Christians living and dead.
Etymology: ME f. OF communion or L communio f. communis common