communicate

verb com·mu·ni·cate \ kə-ˈmyü-nə-ˌkāt \

|Updated on: 14 Jul 2018

Examples: communicate in a Sentence

Definition of communicate

communicated; communicating

transitive verb

1 archaic : share

2 a : to convey knowledge of or information about : make known

communicate a story

She communicated her ideas to the group.

b : to reveal by clear signs

His fear communicated itself to his friends.

He communicated his dissatisfaction to the staff.

3 : to cause to pass from one to another

Some diseases are easily communicated.

intransitive verb

1 : to receive Communion

Some Christians communicate in both elements, bread and wine.

2 : to transmit information, thought, or feeling so that it is satisfactorily received or understood

two sides failing to communicate with each other

The computer communicates with peripheral equipment.

3 : to open into each other : connect

The rooms communicate.

—

communicatee

play \kə-ˌmyü-ni-kə-ˈtē\ noun

—

communicator

noun

See communicate defined for English-language learners

See communicate defined for kids

Examples of communicate in a Sentence

He was asked to communicate the news to the rest of the people.
She communicated her ideas to the group.
The two computers are able to communicate directly with one another.
The pilot communicated with the airport just before the crash.
The couple has trouble communicating.
the challenge of getting the two groups to communicate with each other
We communicate a lot of information through body language.
He communicated his dissatisfaction to the staff.
If you're excited about the product, your enthusiasm will communicate itself to customers.
The disease is communicated through saliva.

Recent Examples of communicate from the Web

According to court documents filed in federal court in Kansas City, Kan., White and the girl, who was 12 at the time, began communicating online in February.

— tony rizzo, kansascity, "Man charged with kidnapping in Amber Alert case involving 13-year-old Lenexa girl," 9 July 2018
Wanting Romance should learn her husband’s love language (acts of service), and communicate to him in his language, not her own (receiving gifts).

— amy dickinson, Detroit Free Press, "Silver dater meets Mr. Corvette," 8 July 2018
Wanting Romance should learn her husband’s love language (acts of service), and communicate to him in his language, not her own (receiving gifts).

— amy dickinson, chicagotribune.com, "Silver dater meets Mr. Corvette," 8 July 2018
So for now, Curiosity is the lone rover, with Opportunity on pause, Spirit having last communicated with NASA in 2010 and original rover Sojourner, which was part of the Mars Pathfinder mission in 1997.

— richard tribou, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Giant mountain on Mars rises above massive dust storm," 5 July 2018
The Yell Leaders, male cheerleaders who wear white coveralls and communicate in a series of chants and gesticulation only Aggies understand, can inspire more than 100,000 people to shake Kyle Field.

— andy staples, SI.com, "The Message Behind the Money: How Texas A&M Landed Jimbo Fisher," 28 June 2018
Facebook and other social media do have some real advantages for communicating about health problems, though.

— robin abrahams, BostonGlobe.com, "A friend shared her cancer diagnosis on Facebook. How can I offer support?," 26 June 2018
The idea was a dedicated wireless network exclusively for first responders, enabling them to communicate in emergencies on a secure system built to handle massive amounts of data.

— tom jackman, Washington Post, "FirstNet launches, giving police and firefighters a dedicated wireless network and infinite possibilities," 25 June 2018
Fidas said while instituting inclusive policies is fundamentally necessary, managers and leaders must also communicate consistently and clearly about LGBTQ inclusion.

— USA TODAY, "Nearly half of LGBTQ employees remain closeted at work, rate unchanged in decade, study says," 25 June 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of communicate

Latin communicatus, past participle of communicare to impart, participate, from communis common — more at mean

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1529

in the meaning defined at sense 2a

See Words from the same year

communicate Synonyms

COMMUNICATE Defined for English Language Learners

communicate

verb

Definition of communicate for English Language Learners

: to give information about (something) to someone by speaking, writing, moving your hands, etc.
: to get someone to understand your thoughts or feelings
medical : to pass (a disease) from one person or animal to another