communication

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

Definition of communication

1 : an act or instance of transmitting the communication of disease
2a : information communicated : information transmitted or conveyedb : a verbal or written message The captain received an important communication.
3a : 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 informationb : personal rapport a lack of communication between old and young persons
4 communications plural a : a system (as of telephones, or computers) for transmitting or exchanging information wireless electronic communicationsb : a system of routes for moving troops, supplies, and vehiclesc : personnel engaged in communicating : personnel engaged in transmitting or exchanging information
5 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)

play \kə-ˌmyü-nə-ˈkā-shnəl, -shə-n^əl\ adjective

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.

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First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

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noun

: 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

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

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

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 communicationb: 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

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

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