communication

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 McCarthy preached that conflict is good and communication is key to surmounting challenges. — Jori Epstein, USA TODAY, "After rough start, Mike McCarthy's 'Cowboys culture' helps fuel unexpected playoff push," 31 Dec. 2020 Antani gave the couple a framed copy of their first communication: Short’s email to Fausey to schedule his job interview. — cleveland, "Ohio lawmakers fail to address tainted House Bill 6: Capitol Letter," 23 Dec. 2020 Young said the mayor's public apology had been her only communication. — CBS News, "Victim of botched raid calls Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot's inaction a "betrayal"," 17 Dec. 2020 That certainly seems to be the plan for WhatsApp, for which Facebook paid an eye-popping $19 billion in 2014, even though the nature of its encrypted communication seems directly at odds with advertising. — Laura Forman, WSJ, "Facebook’s Profile Will Change, Win or Lose," 10 Dec. 2020 That approach prevented the Bengals from being able to substitute defenders, and threw a hitch in their on-field communication. — Omar Kelly, sun-sentinel.com, "Kelly: Dolphins’ uptempo offense brings out the best in Tua Tagovailoa’s game in win over Bengals | Commentary," 6 Dec. 2020 And that's kind of where it's been as far as my communication with him. — Kristie Rieken, Star Tribune, "New Rockets' coach expects Harden to be "all in" this season," 3 Dec. 2020 Miles and Richardson believe the isolation during the first months of the pandemic accelerated the popularity of podcasts among athletes seeking creative outlets while also controlling their own communication with fans. — Andrew Greif, Los Angeles Times, "These former Clippers might be ‘Knuckleheads,’ but people listen," 2 Dec. 2020 Brett Crozier, of command in early April after Crozier sounded the alarm to Navy leadership about the Navy's response to the coronavirus and his communication leaked to the media. — NBC News, "Nearly one out of four sailors from the Navy destroyer USS Michael Murphy test positive for Covid," 19 Nov. 2020

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

12 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Communication.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/communication. Accessed 22 Jan. 2021.

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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

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