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common

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The definition of common is something that belongs to or is shared by two or more people or the community at large.

(adjective)

An example of common is the knowledge of drivers to stop at a red light.

See common in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

belonging equally to, or shared by, two or more or by all: the common interests of a group
belonging or relating to the community at large; public: common carriers
widely existing; general; prevalent: common knowledge
widely but unfavorably known: a common criminal
1. met with or occurring frequently; familiar; usual: a common sight
2. basic; simple; rudimentary: common courtesy
not of the upper classes; of the masses: the common man
having no rank: a common soldier
below ordinary; inferior: common ware
not refined; vulgar; low; coarse
Anat. formed of or dividing into branches
Gram.
1. designating a noun that refers to any of a group or class, as book, apple, street
2. designating gender that can be either masculine or feminine: the word child is of common gender
Math. belonging equally to two or more quantities: a common denominator

Origin: ME commun < OFr comun < L communis (OL comoinis), shared by all or many < IE *kom-moini-, common (< *kom, com- + *moini-, achievement < base *mei-, to exchange, barter) > OE gemæne, public, general, Ger gemein: see mean

noun

☆ land owned or used by all the inhabitants of a place; tract of open public land, esp. as a park in a city or town
Eccles.
1. the office or service suitable for any of a class of festivals
2. the ordinary of the Mass
Law the right that a person has, in common with the owner or others, in the land or waters of another

Related Forms:

commonness noun

See common in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective com·mon·er, com·mon·est

a. Belonging equally to or shared equally by two or more; joint: common interests.
b. Of or relating to the community as a whole; public: for the common good. See Usage Note at mutual.
Widespread; prevalent.
a. Occurring frequently or habitually; usual.
b. Most widely known; ordinary: the common housefly.
Having no special designation, status, or rank: a common sailor.
a. Not distinguished by superior or noteworthy characteristics; average: the common spectator.
b. Of no special quality; standard: common procedure.
c. Of mediocre or inferior quality; second-rate: common cloth.
Unrefined or coarse in manner; vulgar: behavior that branded him as common.
Grammar
a. Either masculine or feminine in gender.
b. Representing one or all of the members of a class; not designating a unique entity.

noun

commons The common people; commonalty.
commons (used with a sing. or pl. verb)
a. The social class composed of commoners.
b. The parliamentary representatives of this class.
The House of Commons. Often used in the plural.
A tract of land, usually in a centrally located spot, belonging to or used by a community as a whole: a band concert on the village common.
The legal right of a person to use the lands or waters of another, as for fishing.
commons (used with a sing. verb) A building or hall for dining, typically at a university or college.
Common stock.
Ecclesiastical A service used for a particular class of festivals.