Mutual; shared by more than one.
A guide to common
• Of a quality: existing among virtually all people; universal.
• Occurring or happening regularly or frequently; usual.
• Found in large numbers or in a large quantity; usual.
• Simple, ordinary or vulgar.
• As part of the vernacular name of a species, usually denoting that it is abundant or widely known.
• Vernacular, referring to the name of a kind of plant or animal.
• Arising from use or tradition, as opposed to being created by a legislative body.
• Of, pertaining or belonging to the common gender.
• Of or pertaining to common nouns as opposed to proper nouns.
• Profane; polluted.
• Given to lewd habits; prostitute.
(Noun) Mutual good, shared by more than one.
• A tract of land in common ownership; common land.
• The people; the community.
• The right of taking a profit in the land of another, in common either with the owner or with other persons; so called from the community of interest which arises between the claimant of the right and the owner of the soil, or between the claimants and other commoners entitled to the same right.
(Verb) To communicate (something).
• To converse, talk.
• To have sex.
• To participate.
• To have a joint right with others in common ground.
• To board together; to eat at a table in common.
Why common is relevant in U.S. law
common appears in U.S. legal practice across multiple practice areas. Knowing what it means — and when it applies — can determine the outcome of motions, filings, and negotiations. For non-lawyers, the value of looking up a precise definition is that legal terms often carry meanings that differ from everyday usage; relying on the common meaning can lead to costly missteps.
When and how common applies
In practice, common is invoked when parties, judges, or attorneys need to identify the legal status of an issue, the rights of those involved, or the procedural step required next. The definition shown above is sourced from Wiktionary , which is widely cited in U.S. legal practice. Because U.S. law is jurisdictionally layered — federal, state, and sometimes local — the precise application of the term can vary by court, so check the controlling authority for your specific case.