communion

Everyday

1. (church) Holy Communion is a Christian service in which people share bread and wine (or juice) to remember Jesus' Last Supper and his death; it is also called the Eucharist, the Mass or the Lord's Supper. tree →
2. First Communion is the special day when a Catholic child first receives communion. tree →
3. (formal) Communion is a close sharing of thoughts or feelings, as in "in communion with nature". tree →

In the lessons

In church life communion is the centre of many services; the priest or minister blesses bread and wine and people come forward to receive it. Catholic children in Ireland and elsewhere often wear white for First Communion, and families celebrate. Different churches believe different things about what the bread and wine are. Phrases: take communion, receive communion, First Holy Communion, the communion rail.

Examples

• On Sunday the vicar gave communion to the people. tree →
• Aoife wore a white dress for her First Communion. tree →
• At communion we remember the Last Supper. tree →
• Some churches use grape juice for communion instead of wine. tree →
• The family went for lunch after the First Communion. tree →
• Walking in the woods, she felt in communion with nature. tree →
• After the sermon followed Holy Communion. tree →

Note

Uncountable in the church sense ("take communion"), capitals for "Holy Communion" and "First Communion". Related: communicate, community, common — all about sharing. Not the same as "commune" (a group living together).

In Jewish tradition

In church life communion is the centre of many services; the priest or minister blesses bread and wine and people come forward to receive it. Catholic children in Ireland and elsewhere often wear white for First Communion, and families celebrate. Different churches believe different things about what the bread and wine are. Phrases: take communion, receive communion, First Holy Communion, the communion rail.

Note

Uncountable in the church sense ("take communion"), capitals for "Holy Communion" and "First Communion". Related: communicate, community, common — all about sharing. Not the same as "commune" (a group living together).