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

Other Words from communication Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about communication

Keep scrolling for more

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

As the company pivots away from public sharing and moves toward encryption, even Facebook won’t have access to private communications sent through its network. — Kurt Wagner, latimes.com, "A black market in wildlife trafficking thrives on Facebook and Instagram," 12 July 2019 In a famous image from 1981, India trotted out its first communication satellite, APPLE, on a bullock cart. — Niha Masih, Washington Post, "Moon mission is a signal of India’s growing space ambitions," 12 July 2019 For the past couple months, communication issues between Fondren and his lawyer have twice delayed Fondren's sentencing. — Sydney Czyzon, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "'Humiliation and rage': Man who lost fistfight given life sentence for pulling out gun, killing man on basketball court," 12 July 2019 Memes are the instrument of antidiscourse, i.e., communication designed and deployed to prevent the exchange of information and perspectives rather than to enable it, a weapon of mass intellectual destruction — the moron bomb. — Kevin D. Williamson, National Review, "A Herd Has No Mind," 11 July 2019 The settlement was approved by the city’s corporation counsel, and will be paid by the city, according to city communications director Vas Srivastava. — Rebecca Lurye, courant.com, "Hartford registrar of voters penalized for calling police on residents observing absentee ballot counting," 11 July 2019 It is meant to integrate the tools into the corporate life of a company, like training, scheduling and regular communications. — Karen Weise, New York Times, "You’re Hired. Now Wear This Headset to Learn the Job.," 10 July 2019 They are located next to the freeway so that conduit and fiber-optic communications cables can be installed along the outside shoulders for express lanes. — Gary Richards, The Mercury News, "Stopping in slow lane to exit risks fender benders: Roadshow," 10 July 2019 Thursday, July 4 Male, 53, arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon not a firearm, damage/use power connecting lines, and damage to a wireless communication device, 16300 block Swartz Canyon Road. — Ramona Sentinel, "Sheriff’s Reports: June 27 to July 7," 10 July 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.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about communication

Dictionary Entries near communication

communication engineering

communications zone

communication theory

Statistics for communication

Last Updated

15 Jul 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for communication

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

See more words from the same century

Keep scrolling for more

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

Keep scrolling for more

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