communication

noun

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

Definition of communication

1a : 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

2a : 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

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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 on the Web

Taurus is the sign that oversees your house of learning and communication, and this season is about getting facts straight once and for all. — Randon Rosenbohm, Allure, "What May’s Pisces Horoscope Predictions Mean for You," 30 Apr. 2019 It could be used as a satellite alternative to provide line-of-sight secure communications, passing along signals across thousands of miles. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "This Drone 'Breathes' Air To Propel Itself and Has Unlimited Range," 26 Apr. 2019 Karimah Bilal, program manager for the Metropolitan Police Department’s office of communications, confirmed in an email to The Associated Press that the Mills named in the police report is the Eagles player. — Howard Fendrich, The Seattle Times, "DC police: Eagles’ Mills, Wiz’s Robinson arrested for fight," 13 Apr. 2019 There, Gibson works on communications, marketing, and development efforts. — Katherine J. Igoe, Marie Claire, "Who Is Cory Booker Dating? Here's Everything We Know," 1 Feb. 2019 The establishment of these two organizations would rearrange the military’s current bureaucracy for handling national security space missions, which mostly revolve around launching satellites for surveillance, communications, and navigation. — Loren Grush, The Verge, "Space Command is coming back, but Space Force still needs approval from Congress," 18 Dec. 2018 But after that notable uptick in White House communication in December 2017, the line went dead. — Jessica Chou, Glamour, "Shawn Holley Will Free You Now," 11 Dec. 2018 The university’s associate vice president for communications, Monica Watts, said that Threadgill has been banned from the school’s campus. — Paulina Dedaj, Fox News, "Alabama student arrested for allegedly pulling down female jogger's pants, stealing women's underwear," 2 Oct. 2018 The Duke and Duchess of Sussex even hired a woman who used to advise Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton to run their communications team. — Abby Gardner, Glamour, "Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Now Have Their Own Instagram," 2 Apr. 2019

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.

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Dictionary Entries near communication

communication engineering

communications zone

communication theory

Statistics for communication

Last Updated

20 May 2019

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Time Traveler for communication

The first known use of communication was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for communication

communication

noun

English Language Learners Definition of communication

: 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

formal : a message that is given to someone : a letter, telephone call, etc.

: the ways of sending information to people by using technology

See the full definition for communication in the English Language Learners Dictionary

communication

noun

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

Kids Definition of communication

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

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 : as

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

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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