communicable

adjective com·mu·ni·ca·ble \ kə-ˈmyü-ni-kə-bəl \

Updated on: 6 Apr 2018

Definition of communicable

1 : capable of being communicated : transmittable

communicable diseases

2 : communicative

prove myself a gentleman, by being … virtuous and communicable
—Izaac Walton

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communicability

play \kə-ˌmyü-ni-kə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

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communicableness

play \kə-ˈmyü-ni-kə-bəl-nəs\ noun

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communicably

play \kə-ˈmyü-ni-kə-blē\ adverb

See communicable defined for English-language learners

See communicable defined for kids

Examples of communicable in a Sentence

communicable diseases that are usually transmitted sexually

Recent Examples of communicable from the Web

The year before, communicable diseases totaled 1,051, of which 388 were STDs.

— jesse leavenworth, Courant Community, "Report Shows Growing Pressure On Manchester To Maintain Services As Population Increases," 2 Apr. 2018
These crowded spaces can become breeding grounds for communicable diseases, like tuberculosis and the flu.

— chicagotribune.com, "Flu, crowded shelters create perfect storm for homeless," 5 Mar. 2018
In at least three recent Olympic games, highly communicable diseases have become as much a part of the story line as gold medal counts and crazy athletic costuming.

— jenny deam, Houston Chronicle, "A new Olympic sport: Dodging disease," 20 Feb. 2018
The virus is communicable to cats, but not to humans.

— nicole blanchard, idahostatesman, "Boise has its first confirmed case of dog flu. Here’s how to keep your pet healthy.," 14 Feb. 2018
Bexar County typically sees a decline in flu cases reported in February, but the illness hasn't let up yet, Dr. Anita Kurian, assistant director for the communicable diseases division of the Metropolitan Health District told the Express-News.

— annie millerbernd, San Antonio Express-News, "How does this flu season compare to past seasons?," 13 Feb. 2018
Prosecutors requested Carey undergo tests for communicable diseases, court records say.

— kaylee remington, cleveland.com, "Elyria man accused of biting state trooper's ear charged with numerous felonies," 23 Jan. 2018
Donors have blood tests and are screened for communicable diseases as well as risky behavior.

— kenneth willardt, Harper's BAZAAR, "Should You Inject Stem Cells?," 14 Dec. 2017
Heresy was considered so highly communicable then that his friends, children, colleagues, and students were all imperiled together with him.

— marilynne robinson, New Republic, "The Luther Legend," 12 Dec. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'communicable.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of communicable

circa 1533

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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communicable Synonyms

COMMUNICABLE Defined for English Language Learners

communicable

adjective

Definition of communicable for English Language Learners

medical : able to be passed to another person

COMMUNICABLE Defined for Kids

communicable

adjective com·mu·ni·ca·ble \ kə-ˈmyü-ni-kə-bəl \

Definition of communicable for Students

: able to be passed to another person

a communicable disease

Medical Dictionary

communicable

adjective com·mu·ni·ca·ble \ kə-ˈmyü-ni-kə-bəl \

medical Definition of communicable

: capable of being transmitted from person to person, animal to animal, animal to human, or human to animal : transmissible

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communicability

play \-ˌmyü-ni-kə-ˈbil-ət-ē\ noun, plural -ties

Learn More about communicable

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for communicable Spanish Central: Translation of communicable Nglish: Translation of communicable for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of communicable for Arabic speakers

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communicable

Definition of communicable

communicability

communicableness

communicably

Examples of communicable in a Sentence

Recent Examples of communicable from the Web

First Known Use of communicable

communicable Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

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COMMUNICABLE Defined for English Language Learners

communicable

Definition of communicable for English Language Learners

COMMUNICABLE Defined for Kids

communicable

Definition of communicable for Students

Medical Dictionary

communicable

medical Definition of communicable

communicability

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