communicate

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

Updated on: 19 May 2018

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

Brondello has been impressed by how Gulich has not been reticent about communicating with veteran players in Phoenix, which has been tabbed one of the favorites to win a WNBA title.

— andrew greif, OregonLive.com, "Marie Gulich, former Oregon State star, adjusting quickly in WNBA," 11 May 2018
Hier also put emphasis on the importance of knowing how to communicate with family members regarding a diagnosis of cancer.

— marvin glassman, Jewish Journal, "Donna Klein students create foundation for cancer research," 10 May 2018
But there are ways to communicate with your loved one, even in Alzheimer's most advanced stages.

— episcopal retirement services, Cincinnati.com, "My parent was just diagnosed with dementia. Now what?," 4 May 2018
For many teens, social media offers positive benefits, such as a deeper connection with friends and a low-stakes way to communicate with peers.

— jennifer breheny wallace, WSJ, "The Teenage Social-Media Trap," 4 May 2018
The exhibition was commissioned by Climart, a project by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, that aims to use art as a way to communicate climate change.

— julissa treviño, Smithsonian, "Experience Some of the World’s Most Polluted Cities in This Exhibit," 3 May 2018
As the family communicates in American Sign Language, DeGeneres is seen using hand gestures.

— katherine schaffstall, The Hollywood Reporter, "Ellen DeGeneres Parodies 'A Quiet Place' With Faux Deleted Scenes," 27 Apr. 2018
Social media gives people and organizations opportunities to communicate in ways that weren’t available before.

— sandy bauers, Philly.com, "Millions rely on Facebook for health and science information. Is that a good thing?," 25 Apr. 2018
My college journalism professor, Lorraine Adams, taught me how to tell stories – how to see and describe the details while communicating them in a way that makes them visceral.

— Daily Intelligencer, "Your Insider Guides to This Year’s Tribeca Film Festival," 21 Apr. 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