Words gain meaning from their usage. Instead of definitions, there are explanations and examples. In the widely understood meaning, communism refers to a centr

Words gain meaning from their usage. Instead of definitions, there are explanations and examples. In the widely understood meaning, communism refers to a centralized state ruled by the communist party. Not by something called a communist party but by something that is a communist party. The USSR was the canonical example of a communist state. States similar to it are generally seen as communist states, while states that are too different are not. Decentralized states otherwise similar to the USSR have never existed, so we don't know if people would consider them communist states.