variants:
or less commonly communications theory
Definition of communication theory
: a theory that deals with the technology of the transmission of information (as through the written word or a computer) between people, people and machines, or machines and machines
There is some sense of the impact of telecommunications and computerization (almost all writers have gone on-line with something by now after all), but few of these fictions seem shaped in any serious way by information or communication theory.— Robert Coover, The New York Times Book Review, 18 Mar. 1984 Ms. Medsger said the three major trends that supervisors found most disturbing were the emphasis on faculty members with academic rather than journalistic experience, the elimination of journalism as a stand-alone major and the increased emphasis on communication theory at the expense of basic reporting and writing skills.— Iver Peterson, The New York Times, 6 May 1996
Keep scrolling for more
Learn More about communication theory
Dictionary Entries near communication theory
See More Nearby EntriesStatistics for communication theory
Look-up Popularity
Cite this Entry
“Communication theory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/communication%20theory. Accessed 6 Mar. 2021.
Style: MLA
MLA
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
Comments on communication theory
What made you want to look up communication theory? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Who Knew?
-
- What is a ruelle?
Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Spell words. Make bears.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Share communication theory
Time Traveler for communication theory
The first known use of communication theory was in 1911
See more words from the same year