What does communicant mean?
A communicant is, in its dominant modern sense, a person who receives Holy Communion in a Christian church — the individual who comes forward to partake of the bread and wine during the Eucharist. In some traditions, notably Reformed and Presbyterian churches, 'communicant' also designates a full member of the congregation who is formally admitted to the Lord's Supper, so churches speak of 'communicant members' as opposed to baptized children not yet admitted. A second, older sense treats a communicant as anyone who communicates — one who shares or imparts thoughts, information, or beliefs — though this usage has largely been supplanted by 'communicator' and survives mainly in formal or historical writing. The word derives from Latin communicare, 'to share in common,' the same root that gives us communion and community, which explains why its religious and social senses are so closely intertwined. Today you will encounter 'communicant' most often in ecclesiastical contexts: parish records, liturgical instructions, and denominational statistics all count their communicants with precision.
A person who receives Holy Communion in a Christian church service; in some Protestant denominations, a full member of a church entitled to receive Communion.
"Only baptised communicants may take part in the service."
In Presbyterian and Reformed churches, 'communicant member' distinguishes full members from other adherents.
(Less commonly, formal or dated) A person who communicates or shares information, ideas, or beliefs with others.
"He proved an able communicant of his vision for the company."
This sense is now rare; 'communicator' is the usual modern choice.
Regular English plural, used chiefly when counting recipients of Communion or church members.
"The diocese reported over two thousand communicants last Easter."
Before it ever meant 'a good talker,' a communicant was someone taking bread and wine at the altar — the word is centuries old and still at home in the pew.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of communicant
Communicant entered English from Late Latin communicans, the present participle of communicare, meaning 'to share, impart, or make common.' Its earliest uses in English, dating to the late medieval and early modern period, carried both the general sense of one who shares or participates and the specifically religious sense of one who partakes of the Eucharist. The word is a direct cognate of communion and communicate, all descending from the Latin root communis, 'common.' Over time the religious sense became dominant, reflecting the central role of Communion in Christian worship.
How communicant is actually used
The religious sense is by far the most common today, especially in Anglican, Roman Catholic, Lutheran, and Presbyterian contexts, where 'communicant' may also denote a full member entitled to receive Communion. The secular sense ('one who communicates') is older but now rare and somewhat formal or archaic; 'communicator' is preferred in modern usage.
Easily confused with communicant
A communicator is anyone who conveys information effectively, whereas a communicant primarily refers to someone receiving Communion or, more generally, one who shares in communication.