commons

1. 1
   nouncountable

   A shared room or building at a college, especially the dining hall.

   We ate breakfast in the commons before class.

   The commons is open to students all day.

   Similarcafeteria, refectory

   Note
2. 2
   nouncountable

   An open piece of land in a town that everyone can use, often a green in the middle.

   The town holds its summer fair on the commons.

   The commons is the green space between the church and the school.

   Similargreen

   Note
3. 3
   noun

   In the past, ordinary people, not nobles or priests.

   The king asked both the nobles and the commons for money for the war.

   In the play, the commons cheer the new emperor.

   Similarpeople, populace, masses

   Oppositenobility, aristocracy

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4. 4
   nounfigurativelycountable

   Things that everyone shares and depends on, such as clean air or the sea.

   The ocean is a commons that no single country owns.

   If everyone takes too much, the commons is ruined for all.

   Note
5. 5
   noun

   Plural of common. Use it for more than one common.

   The village has two commons, one on each side of the river.

   Old maps mark the commons where people could graze animals.

   Note
6. 6
   noun

   Food in general, especially the daily food given to a group.

   The sailors were on short commons after the storm ruined the stores.

   The soldiers complained about the poor commons at the fort.

   Similarrations, provisions, fare, food

   Note
7. 7
   nounhistorical

   In the past, the free citizens of a town, thought of as one group.

   The commons of the city elected their own mayor.

   The lord and the commons argued over who paid for the walls.

   Similarburghers, citizens, bourgeoisie, freemen

   Note

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