contact

1 of 3

noun

con·​tact ˈkän-ˌtakt How to pronounce contact (audio)
1
a
: 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.
2
a
: 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

2 of 3

verb

con·​tact ˈkän-ˌtakt How to pronounce contact (audio)
kən-ˈtakt
contacted; contacting; contacts

intransitive verb

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

transitive verb

1
: to bring into contact
2
a
: to enter or be in contact with : join
The spark contacted the gunpowder.
b
: to get in communication with
Contact your local dealer.
Is contact a verb?: Usage Guide

The use of contact as a verb, especially in sense 2b, is accepted as standard by almost all commentators except those who write college handbooks.

contact

3 of 3

adjective

con·​tact ˈkän-ˌtakt How to pronounce contact (audio)
: maintaining, involving, or activated or caused by contact
contact poisons
contact sports
contact dermatitis

Example Sentences

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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The court set bail at $100,000 and ordered him to have no contact with her, but prosecutors did not request GPS monitoring in the event of his release. Gene Johnson, ajc, 24 Mar. 2023 Next, look up as many conferences in that industry and gather the contact info of the event planner or executive. Sonia Maslovskaya, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2023 On Thursday, López denied being in contact with the governor’s office. Cristóbal Reyes, Orlando Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2023 Police earlier named Warren, who was released from jail March 8, as a person of interest in the disappearances and said he is believed to be the last person who was in contact with Melendez and her daughter. Savannaheadens, oregonlive, 23 Mar. 2023 When applying to Axis Medical Staffing, you are prompted to enter your name, discipline, specialty, and contact information, as well as upload a resume. Riley Blanton, Verywell Health, 23 Mar. 2023 But what does that mean exactly for the people in my life—as well as all others who come in contact with Capricorns, Virgos, and Tauruses? Madison Feller, ELLE, 22 Mar. 2023 The informant also has been in contact with at least one of the defense lawyers and at least one of the five defendants, Hernandez wrote. Michael Kunzelman And Lindsay Whitehurst, BostonGlobe.com, 22 Mar. 2023 Investigators honed in on possible relatives in New York and New Jersey and got in contact with her brother. Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2023
Verb
Anyone with information may contact Detective Frank Serra at 214-671-4320 or frank.serra@dallaspolice.gov and refer to case No. 044023-2023. Jamie Landers, Dallas News, 15 Mar. 2023 Please reach out to a therapist, and if the depression feels insurmountable, contact a hotline, such as the one from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at 800-662-4357. Meghan Leahy, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2023 Security footage from area businesses showed Millard went to a Greyhound station, where a security guard offered to either call an Uber or contact the police. Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 15 Mar. 2023 For more details, contact Jane Dorian at Carolwood Estates who holds the listing. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 15 Mar. 2023 Police ask anyone with information about the Wednesday-morning shooting at the hotel to contact the East County Major Crimes Team’s lead detective, Jenn Ritschard, through the tip line: 503-926-1506. Savannaheadens, oregonlive, 15 Mar. 2023 Patients select the provider or pharmacy that holds their prescription and Amazon does the legwork to contact them and transfer the prescription. Lauren Mchugh Olende, Quartz, 14 Mar. 2023 The only way to complete the work was to contact the owners of the other unit underneath and ask for permission to enter. Tamara Hardingham-gill, CNN, 14 Mar. 2023 Those interested in the position of Carmel girls basketball coach should contact Inskeep via email: jinskeep@ccs.k12.in.us. Brian Haenchen, The Indianapolis Star, 14 Mar. 2023
Adjective
Why does a player who was placed at the scene of a fatal shooting by his lawyer casually attend meetings at The Star and take part in non-contact drills? Dallas News, 9 May 2022 Fredrick, who connected on 47% of his 3-pointers during two years at Iowa, said he’s participated in non-contact drills and is slowly getting back into live work. Hayes Gardner, The Courier-Journal, 20 Oct. 2021 However, the veteran running back shed his red non-contact jersey. Mark Daniels, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2021 Even though he’s been in a non-contact jersey and worn a knee brace, Roberson has still practiced during one-on-ones and some team sessions. Joseph Hoyt, Dallas News, 16 Aug. 2021 Even excluding the estimate the pre-contact population of Tahiti island seems to have dropped by one half in a two generation period. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 5 Aug. 2010 Murray suffered the non-contact injury on Dec. 12 against the Patriots at State Farm Stadium and underwent surgery on Jan. 3. Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 15 Feb. 2023 On Friday, the Oregon Health Authority and Gov. Kate Brown lifted their mask mandate during competition for non-contact sports. oregonlive, 27 Apr. 2021 Stars forward Tanner Kero (concussion protocol) skated in a red, non-contact jersey during practice Tuesday, but did not participate in the scrimmage. Dallas News, 5 Jan. 2022 See More

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.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from French & Latin; French, going back to Middle French, borrowed from Latin contāctus "touching, joining of surfaces, association," from contag-, variant stem of contingere "to be in contact with, arrive at, affect, fall to one's lot" + -tus, suffix of action nouns — more at contingent entry 1

Verb

derivative of contact entry 1

Adjective

derivative of contact entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1626, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1834, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Adjective

1859, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of contact was in 1626

Dictionary Entries Near contact

Cite this Entry

“Contact.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contact. Accessed 29 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

contact

1 of 3 noun
con·​tact ˈkän-ˌtakt How to pronounce contact (audio)
1
: a meeting or touching of surfaces
2
: the connection of two electrical conductors through which a current passes or a part made for such a connection
3
: a person one knows who has influence especially in the business or political world
our contacts in Los Angeles may be able to assist you
4
: an establishing of communication especially with someone or something distant
make contact by radio
5

contact

2 of 3 verb
con·​tact ˈkän-ˌtakt How to pronounce contact (audio)
kən-ˈtakt
1
: to bring or come into contact
2
: to get in touch or communication with
contact your local dealer for details

contact

3 of 3 adjective
con·​tact ˈkän-ˌtakt How to pronounce contact (audio)
: involving or acting upon contact
football and ice hockey are contact sports
contact insecticides
Etymology

Noun

from French contact or Latin contactus, both meaning "a touching of body surfaces," from Latin contingere "to have contact with, affect, happen," from con-, com- "with, together" and tangere "to touch" — related to contagious, contingent, tangent, tangible

Medical Definition

contact

1 of 2 noun
con·​tact ˈkän-ˌtakt How to pronounce contact (audio)
1
: union or junction of body surfaces
sexual contact
2
a
: the junction of two electrical conductors through which a current passes
b
: a special part that has been made for such a junction
3
: direct experience through the senses
loss of contact with reality
4

contact

2 of 2 adjective
: caused or transmitted by direct or indirect contact (as with an allergen or a contagious disease)
a contact allergy

More from Merriam-Webster on contact

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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