communication

noun com·mu·ni·ca·tion \ kə-ˌmyü-nə-ˈkā-shən \

Updated on: 20 May 2018

Definition of communication

1 a : a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behavior

the function of pheromones in insect communication

; also : exchange of information

b : personal rapport

a lack of communication between old and young persons

2 a : information communicated : information transmitted or conveyed

b : a verbal or written message

The captain received an important communication.

3 communications plural

a : a system (as of telephones or computers) for transmitting or exchanging information

wireless electronic communications

b : a system of routes for moving troops, supplies, and vehicles

c : personnel engaged in communicating : personnel engaged in transmitting or exchanging information

4 communications plural in form but singular or plural in construction

a : a technique for expressing ideas effectively (as in speech)

b : the technology of the transmission of information (as by print or telecommunication)

5 : an act or instance of transmitting

the communication of disease

6 anatomy : a connection between bodily parts

Surprisingly little is known about the communication between the alveolar and terminal bronchiolar surfaces…
—Richard C. Boucher

—

communicational

play \kə-ˌmyü-nə-ˈkā-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl\ adjective

See communication defined for English-language learners

See communication defined for kids

Examples of communication in a Sentence

Communication between children in the class was not prohibited but was afforded time slots … —Jonathan Kozol, Harper's, September 2005
It's not an oral communication. It's body language, eye contact, the grinning, the little signals that go on between people. —Keith Richards, quoted in Rolling Stone, 14-28 July 1994
If the book is good and even if one is reading to oneself, what is happening is a very special sort of social event, a communication between writer and reader … —Walker Percy, "Another Message In The Bottle," in Signposts in a Strange Land, 1991
This is a secret and confidential communication which I am trusting you to answer on the sly. —Alexander Woollcott, letter, 20 Oct. 1934
Whom else had she to open her heart to? If she did not need counsel, she must need the comfort of communication. —Jane Austen, Mansfield Park, 1814
You don't talk to him, he talks at you. You scream and shout at each other, but there's no communication. —Zadie Smith, White Teeth
He is studying insect communication.
There was a breakdown in communication between members of the group.
television and other means of mass communication
Communications is a growing industry.
He majored in communications in college.

Recent Examples of communication from the Web

The National Right to Work Foundation and Competitive Enterprise Institute recently filed Freedom of Information Act requests seeking the IG’s communications with Members of Congress, and the board should respond promptly.

— the editorial board, WSJ, "Funny Business at the Trump Labor Board," 16 May 2018
After sixteen months, Trump is on his third national-security adviser and his sixth communications director.

— evan osnos, The New Yorker, "Trump vs. the “Deep State”," 14 May 2018
For the 2018 election Michigan and Arizona are target states, says Lizzie Ulmer, DAGA’s communications director.

— kaylen ralph, Glamour, "Say It With Me: Eric Schneiderman's Replacement Needs to Be a Woman," 10 May 2018
According to one Ravens official, the Ravens received a slight bump in ticket sales and a lot of positive communication from fans about the draft.

— mike preston, baltimoresun.com, "Mike Preston: Ravens' Flacco takes the right stance in quarterback debate," 7 May 2018
However, an article in Italian newspaper Gazzetta Dello Sport claims that Monaco, Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham are all interested and have been in communication with Sarri's entourage.

— SI.com, "Chelsea & Tottenham 'Make Contact' With Napoli Boss Maurizio Sarri After Chairman Dispute," 7 May 2018
The investigation was prompted by inappropriate electronic communications with female staff members, multiple sources told the Observer.

— joseph person and jourdan rodrigue, charlotteobserver, "Inappropriate emails, texts led to Panthers assistant's resignation, sources say | Charlotte Observer," 4 May 2018
Our communities drove the communication about wanting more.

— author: naomi klouda, Anchorage Daily News, "Small Alaska school district remains alone in offering performance bonuses to teachers," 3 May 2018
One approach would be to link all data collected on an individual, with clear communication about who will have access to the information and how it will be used.

— neile grayson, STAT, "Real-world data can help make better drugs and do it faster," 2 May 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of communication

see communicate

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 5

See Words from the same year

communication Synonyms

Synonyms

dispatch, message;

Related Words

bulletin, communiqué, report;

memo, memorandum, notice;

epistle, letter, missive, note;

electronic mail, e-mail, voice mail;

intelligence, news, tidings, word;

command, directive, instruction, order;

COMMUNICATION Defined for English Language Learners

communication

noun

Definition of communication for English Language Learners

: the act or process of using words, sounds, signs, or behaviors to express or exchange information or to express your ideas, thoughts, feelings, etc., to someone else
: a message that is given to someone : a letter, telephone call, etc.
communications : the ways of sending information to people by using technology

COMMUNICATION Defined for Kids

communication

noun com·mu·ni·ca·tion \ kə-ˌmyü-nə-ˈkā-shən \

Definition of communication for Students

1 : the exchange (as by speech or letter) of information between persons

2 : information exchanged

3 communications plural : a system of sending information

4 communications plural : a system of routes for transportation

Medical Dictionary

communication

noun com·mu·ni·ca·tion \ kə-ˌmyü-nə-ˈkā-shən \

medical Definition of communication

1 : the act or process of transmitting information (as about ideas, attitudes, emotions, or objective behavior)

nonverbal interpersonal communication

emotional communication between parent and child
—G. S. Blum

a : exchange of information between individuals through a common system of signs, symbols, or behavior

pictorial representation is a usable channel of communication between humans and the chimpanzee

the function of pheromones in insect communication

b : personal rapport

a lack of communication between young and old persons

2 : information communicated

3 : a connection between bodily parts

an artificial communication between the esophagus and the stomach

Law Dictionary

communication

noun com·mu·ni·ca·tion \ kə-ˌmyü-nə-ˈkā-shən \

legal Definition of communication

: the expression to another of information or thoughts through speech, writing, or gestures — see also confidential communication, privileged communication