communication

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

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

Kelli Felker, manufacturing & labor communications manager at Ford, said in a statement.

— tresa baldas, Detroit Free Press, "FBI plants bull's-eye on GM, Ford as UAW scandal widens," 2 Nov. 2017
His energy, communication, all those were at a high level.

— manny navarro, miamiherald, "Heat rookie Bam Adebayo is off to a ‘dunk’tastic start, plus other notes from Denver | Miami Herald," 2 Nov. 2017
The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, which released an alert about his disappearance on Sunday, organized the search for Benim with Mountain Wave communications, canine handlers and Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue.

— lynne terry, OregonLive.com, "Lost hunter found safe in Mount Hood National Forest," 1 Nov. 2017
Each city is different and should make those decisions locally based on staff time, technology and resources, said communications manager Megan Gilliland.

— lynn horsley, kansascity, "Why doesn’t Overland Park livestream council meetings when other JoCo cities do?," 31 Oct. 2017
The deliveries are now offered at dozens of location and include beer and wine, said Ric Brewer, Bartell’s communications manager.

— robert langreth, Bloomberg.com, "Amazon Is Headed for the Prescription-Drug Market, Analysts Say," 7 Oct. 2017
Like the soul of a human, the animal’s soul (or ba) was capable of posthumous travel and communication.

— jonathon keats, Discover Magazine, "The Animal Mummy Business," 10 Nov. 2017
Both trust and communication need to be present in healthy relationships, and they either compliment or detract from the friendship.

— jessica ariel wendroff, Teen Vogue, "5 Signs It's Time to Break Up With Your BFF," 2 Nov. 2017
The two sides had been in communication for months about the event.

— perry stein, Washington Post, "Federal building in D.C. rejects Richard Spencer’s request to host conference," 2 Nov. 2017

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