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

For people with chronic diseases, that team — and good communication between team members — is even more essential. — Melissa Stein, STAT, "Privacy laws are hurting the care of patients with addiction," 13 July 2018 Emails and other communications between government employees obtained by E&E News reveal directives and orders by Trump officials to shelve environmental policies to speed energy development. — Zack Colman, Scientific American, "A Trump Oil Boom Could Transform This Rocky Mountain Landscape," 13 July 2018 Also, the report contains all written communication between the association and initiative backers so voters can read about the entire process online. — Phillip Molnar, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Taxpayers association says SoccerCity has bigger tax benefit to city," 12 July 2018 Car companies need to find a way so no one can replicate the messages and the communication between the key and the vehicle. — Phoebe Wall Howard, ajc, "Why you might want to wrap your car key fob in foil," 8 July 2018 In 2015, Western European intelligence agencies began picking up evidence of communications between the Russian government and people in Donald Trump’s orbit. — Jonathan Chait, Daily Intelligencer, "Will Trump Be Meeting With His Counterpart — Or His Handler?," 8 July 2018 In a closed-door interview last month with members of the House Oversight and Judiciary committees, Mr. Strzok said his text messages were simply communications between friends that weren’t indicative of the direction of the FBI’s work. — Lalita Clozel, WSJ, "Giuliani Demands ‘Factual Basis’ for Mueller Probe Before Any Trump Interview," 8 July 2018 Reports from earlier in the month have suggested there has been little communication between the manager and the board, with Bruce still in the dark over possible transfer budgets for next season despite pre-season beginning this week. — SI.com, "Aston Villa Confirm Departure of Director of Football Steve Round as Club Struggles Continue," 4 July 2018 The dust storm covered one-fourth of the planet, and communication between Earth and the orbiter was cut off more than a week ago. — Richard Tribou, OrlandoSentinel.com, "NASA image shows blue sand dune on Mars," 26 June 2018

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

Phrases Related to communication

in communication

Statistics for communication

Last Updated

21 Oct 2018

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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

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

communications : 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 :

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