communicates; communicated; communicating
1
: to give information about (something) to someone by speaking, writing, moving your hands, etc.
He was asked to communicate the news to the rest of the people.
His book communicates [=conveys] the harsh realities of war.
She communicated her ideas to the group.
Good teachers communicate effectively.
She likes to communicate [=(more informally) keep in touch] with her sister through/by/via e-mail.
The two computers are able to communicate directly with one another.
The pilot communicated with the airport just before the crash.
2
: to get someone to understand your thoughts or feelings
The couple has trouble communicating.
the challenge of getting the two groups to communicate with each other
We communicate a lot of information through body language.
He communicated his dissatisfaction to the staff.
If you're excited about the product, your enthusiasm will communicate itself to customers.
3
medical
: to pass (a disease) from one person or animal to another
One monkey communicated [=transmitted, spread] the disease to the others.
The disease is communicated through saliva.
4
formal, of rooms, parts of a building, etc.
: to have openings to each other
The rooms communicate [=connect] through a secret passage.
Cite this Entry
“Communicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/communicate. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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