communication

noun

com·​mu·​ni·​ca·​tion kə-ˌmyü-nə-ˈkā-shən 

1

a

: the act or process of using words, sounds, signs, or behavior to express or exchange information or to express thoughts, feelings, etc., to another person

the function of pheromones in insect communication

nonverbal communication

a breakdown in communication between members of the group

We are in communication by email.

b

: personal rapport

If a parent has not established good communication with his child prior to the pre-teen years, it may be difficult to begin.

—Walter E. McDonald

2

a

: information communicated : information transmitted or conveyed

It was the answer to the communication of his intended marriage.

—Jane Austen

b

: a verbal or written message

The captain received an important communication.

Taxpayers may also submit a written communication from the charity with the organization's name … and the amount of the contribution.

—The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

3

communications plural

a

: a system (as of telephones or computers) for transmitting or exchanging information

wireless electronic communications

all communications were down

b

: a system of routes for moving troops, supplies, and vehicles

… a campaign to force … capitulation by cutting … main river and canal communications routes.

—Jonathan D. Spence

c

: personnel engaged in communicating : personnel engaged in transmitting or exchanging information

He called the communications desk to ask for help.

4

communications plural in form but singular or plural in construction

a

: a technique for expressing ideas effectively (as in speech)

director of communications

A communications major …, he had dreamed of becoming a sportscaster …

—Paul Farrel

b

: the technology of the transmission of information (as by print or telecommunication)

… unifying multiple tools into one communications app and service …

—Herald-Citizen (Cookeville, Tennessee)

Within the context of NASA, optical communications technology sends data across space using lasers instead of radio frequencies.

—Catherine G. Manning and Katherine Schauer

5

: an act or instance of transmitting

the communication of the common cold

6

anatomy : a connection between bodily parts

Surprisingly little is known about the communication between the alveolar and terminal bronchiolar surfaces …

—Richard C. Boucher

communicational

kə-ˌmyü-nə-ˈkā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms of communication

• message
• dispatch

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

Paramount’s linear broadcast and cable networks were hit hard, with marketing, communications/PR, business affairs and programming departments all seeing major cuts in personnel. —Michael Schneider, Variety, 29 Oct. 2025

The competition is among the largest in the country, honoring the work by hundreds of San Diego County media and communications professionals, according to the organization. —Susan Gill Vardon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Oct. 2025

Melissa hit Jamaica on Tuesday, knocking out communications and power across the island. —Emily Goodin, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025

After the changes were first made, Amy Flottemesch, president of the Cincinnati Food Truck Association, criticized the lack of communication between the city and vendors. —David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 29 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see communicate

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing communication

• near field communication

Rhymes for communication

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

communication

noun

com·​mu·​ni·​ca·​tion kə-ˌmyü-nə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: an act or instance of transmitting

2

: information communicated : message

received an important communication

3

: an exchange of information

4

plural

a

: a system (as of telephones) for sending and receiving messages

b

: a system of routes for moving troops, supplies, and vehicles

Medical Definition

communication

noun

com·​mu·​ni·​ca·​tion kə-ˌmyü-nə-ˈkā-shən 

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

Legal Definition

communication

noun

com·​mu·​ni·​ca·​tion kə-ˌmyü-nə-ˈkā-shən 

: the expression to another of information or thoughts through speech, writing, or gestures see also confidential communication, privileged communication