commons🔊

A public area, especially a dining hall, at a college or university; a similar shared spaced elsewhere.

A common (common land); especially, a central section of (usually an older) town, designated as a shared area.

(figuratively) The mutual good of all; the abstract concept of resources shared by more than one, for example air, water, information. +

The common people collectively, the third estate, the people not belonging to the nobility or clergy

(chiefly historical) The free burghers/bourgeoisie of a given town, taken collectively.

(euphemistic, obsolete) An outhouse. +

(obsolete, UK, Oxford University) Food served at a fixed rate from the college buttery, distinguished from battels.

Food in general; rations.