* Noun: This is the most common usage. It refers to the political and economic ideology that aims for a classless society with communal ownership of the means of production.
* Example: "He studied the history of communism in the Soviet Union."
* Adjective: It can describe something related to communism.
* Example: "The country experienced a communist revolution."
* Proper noun: It can also refer to a specific communist party or movement.
* Example: "The Communist Party of China."
So, without context, it's hard to definitively say which part of speech it is.