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

2 a :information communicated :information transmitted or conveyed

b :a verbal or written message

The captain received an important communication.

3 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

4 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

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)

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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

Alberto Moscoso is the communications director for Florida's Division of Emergency Management.

— rebecca mcbane, South Florida Parenting, "Don't Wait for the Storm: The most important step in a Family Emergency Plan is to make one," 30 Aug. 2017
Bailiff is constantly in communication with his wife at their home near a levee with two dogs after flood waters cut off access to get out of the neighborhood, but still with no water inside.

— stephen hawkins, The Seattle Times, "Harvey keeping Rice and Houston football teams off campus," 29 Aug. 2017
That’s because ham operators play a big part in disaster response, from monitoring and reporting on storms to providing a method of communication when other methods are down.

— kat eschner, Smithsonian, "Why Amateur Radio Operators Are Watching Hurricane Harvey," 24 Aug. 2017
Local police said the Navy was in communication with the family.

— Bloomberg.com, "U.S. Navy 7th Fleet Commander to Be Removed," 23 Aug. 2017
A contract for $8,200 is being reviewed to have the paint removed, said Will Ford, communications specialist for the city's codes and regulations department.

— thomas novelly, The Courier-Journal, "Louisville could pay $8,200 to clean paint off controversial Castleman statue," 23 Aug. 2017
Chan is charged with harassment and intimidation by electronic device, identity theft and making threatening communications.

— kevin grasha, Cincinnati.com, "Documents: Man threatened, stalked UC student over 5 years after meeting in World of Warcraft game," 23 Aug. 2017
My first meeting with this gentleman, an established older executive from the communications industry, proved that once again my beauty pageant background was a barrier to being taken seriously.

— belisa silva, Harper's BAZAAR, "I Was Told I Was Too Pretty to Be a CEO," 18 Aug. 2017
According to WWD, the beauty giant introduced a tool called the Beauty Insider Community to its website, which consists of five responsive features meant to give the virtual customer an open line of communication to its experts and fellow shoppers.

— krystin arneson, Glamour, "Sephora Just Launched Its Own Community Platform, and We're Obsessed," 13 Aug. 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

See Words from the same year

communication Synonyms

Synonyms

dispatch, message

Related Words

bulletin, communiqué, express [British], 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

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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

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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

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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

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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