contact

noun

con·tact | \ˈkän-ˌtakt

Definition of contact

(Entry 1 of 3)

1a : union or junction of surfaces Cooling begins when the lava makes contact with the air.

b : the apparent touching or mutual tangency of the limbs of two celestial bodies or of the disk of one body with the shadow of another during an eclipse, transit, or occultation

c(1) : the junction of two electrical conductors through which a current passes

(2) : a special part made for such a junction The camera's flash wasn't working because the electrical contacts needed to be cleaned.

2a : association, relationship students and teachers in daily contact

b : connection, communication I lost contact with her years ago.

c : an establishing of communication with someone or an observing or receiving of a significant signal from a person or object radar contact with Mars

3 : a person serving as a go-between, messenger, connection, or source of special information business contacts

4 : contact lens She wears contacts more often than glasses.

contact

verb

con·tact | \ˈkän-ˌtakt,

kən-ˈtakt\

contacted; contacting; contacts

Definition of contact (Entry 2 of 3)

intransitive verb

: to make contact the point at which the two surfaces contact

transitive verb

1 : to bring into contact

2a : to enter or be in contact with : join The spark contacted the gunpowder.

b : to get in communication with Contact your local dealer.

contact

adjective

con·tact | \ˈkän-ˌtakt

Definition of contact (Entry 3 of 3)

: maintaining, involving, or activated or caused by contact contact poisons contact sports contact dermatitis

Synonyms Is contact a verb?: Usage Guide More Example Sentences Learn More about contact

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Synonyms for contact

Synonyms: Noun

connection

Synonyms: Verb

address, communicate (with), get, reach

Examples of contact in a Sentence

Noun

Physical contact between a mother and child is very important. a disease that is spread by sexual contact Contacts between the two leaders have been frequent in recent weeks. I applied for a job at that law firm because I have a contact there.

Verb

For more information, contact the city's tourism office. We were able to contact them by radio. She contacted everyone on the list.

Adjective

Ice hockey is a contact sport.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

One potential issue is contact dermatitis, an itchy rash that can happen due to an allergy. — Jessica Toscano, SELF, "9 Smart Questions to Ask Before Getting a Tattoo," 9 Nov. 2018 For more on the incredible experiences these specialists can deliver, and for their contact info, visit our travel specialists directory. — Paul Brady, Condé Nast Traveler, "2018 Top Travel Specialists We Trust," 19 Oct. 2018 From Natura Bissé’s collagen-boosting formula with Vitamin C to Supergoop's tinted solution, which blurs and evens out skin tone upon contact, here are 8 ways to stay covered this season. — Jenna Rennert, Vogue, "Here's Why You Need Sunscreen This Winter—and the Best Formulas to Buy Now," 15 Oct. 2018 If the rover has not yet made contact when those 45 days have ended, NASA will have to determine how to proceed. — Meghan Bartels, Space.com, "NASA Starts 45-Day Clock to Contact Mars Rover Opportunity as Dust Storm Wanes," 12 Sep. 2018 The project, which is still active today, calls on those opposed to Trump’s politics to contact businesses and ask them to stop selling Trump goods—or risk losing their business. — Megan Friedman, Town & Country, "The Rise and Fall of Ivanka Trump’s Fashion Line," 24 July 2018 During the summer of 2016, the F.B.I. sent an informant to meet with two Trump campaign advisers after the bureau had received information that the two men had suspicious contacts linked to Russia. — Mark Mazzetti, New York Times, "White House Orders Broader Access to Files About F.B.I. Informant," 12 July 2018 In her previous position, Levy probably had some contact with unhappy travelers. — Adam Vaccaro, BostonGlobe.com, "This new T official is standing by for your complaints," 13 July 2018 The woman had a pet cat and had contact with cattle. — Maggie Fox /, NBC News, "Tingling in woman's legs turns out to be a worm in her spine," 12 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Khan declined to comment on the record about his new project when contacted by Recode over the weekend. — Kurt Wagner, Recode, "Snap’s former No. 2 exec Imran Khan is building an online shopping startup," 12 Nov. 2018 According to David Cross, an attorney representing a group of Georgia plaintiffs currently suing Kemp over inadequate voting security, the flare-up began when a Georgia voter named Richard Wright contacted the group Coalition for Good Governance. — Cyrus Farivar, Ars Technica, "With no evidence, Georgia’s top voting official accuses Dems of “cyberattack”," 5 Nov. 2018 When contacted for comment, a representative from OnePlus said the company has nothing more to announce at this time. — Jon Porter, The Verge, "The OnePlus 6T is now available in purple in China," 5 Nov. 2018 Investigators say a fifth victim escaped and contacted authorities. — Susan Montoya Bryan, The Seattle Times, "Relatives have vigil for 4 allegedly killed by border agent," 19 Sep. 2018 When contacted about this story, the White House declined to comment. — Alex Ward, Vox, "Exclusive: Trump promised Kim Jong Un he’d sign an agreement to end the Korean War," 29 Aug. 2018 Showtime had no comment when contacted by The Hollywood Reporter. — Evan Real, Billboard, "Sacha Baron Cohen's Showtime Character Fires Back at Sarah Palin," 13 July 2018 When contacted this week, the council could not provide information as to which public art projects this money funded. — Amanda Svachula, New York Times, "California Tried to Give Artists a Cut. But the Judges Said No.," 11 July 2018 When Gold Country contacted Fish & Wildlife, a spokesperson told them the agency was too busy with bear problems in Tahoe and depredation requests to deal with the doe, Stein said. — Jordan Cutler-tietjen, sacbee, "Doe in distress: Auburn deer can't eat because of peanut butter jar, resident says," 10 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Contact neighborhoods reporter Ruth Serven at ruth.serven@indystar.com. — Ruth Serven, Indianapolis Star, "Indy tightens rules to force landlords to clean up trashy houses, but realty agents say it won't matter," 10 July 2017 Sunday brunch from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Contact 847-549-1972 or www.austinssaloon.com. — Shonda Talerico Dudlicek, Lake County News-Sun, "Libertyville's Austin Saloon adapts with owners' life changes," 20 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'contact.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.