communicate

verb

com·​mu·​ni·​cate kə-ˈmyü-nə-ˌkāt How to pronounce communicate (audio)
communicated; communicating

transitive verb

1
a
: to convey knowledge of or information about : make known
communicate a story
She communicated her ideas to the group.
b
: to reveal by clear signs
His fear communicated itself to his friends.
He communicated his dissatisfaction to the staff.
2
: to cause to pass from one to another
Some diseases are easily communicated.
3
archaic : share

intransitive verb

1
: to transmit information, thought, or feeling so that it is satisfactorily received or understood
two sides failing to communicate with each other
The computer communicates with peripheral equipment.
2
: to open into each other : connect
The rooms communicate.
3
: to receive Communion
Some Christians communicate in both elements, bread and wine.
communicatee noun

Examples of communicate in a Sentence

He was asked to communicate the news to the rest of the people. She communicated her ideas to the group. The two computers are able to communicate directly with one another. The pilot communicated with the airport just before the crash. 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. The disease is communicated through saliva.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The use of force prompted outrage in Oklahoma City's Vietnamese community, particularly since the video shows Vu had difficulty communicating with Gibson during the interaction and appeared not to understand what the officer was telling him. CBS News, 6 Dec. 2024 The 69-year-old Die Hard actor retired from acting in spring 2022 after he was diagnosed with aphasia, a cognitive condition that affects a person's ability to communicate and could impact the understanding of written and verbal language. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024 Once implanted, the device enables patients who are paralyzed or can’t communicate to actually interact with their phones to send messages, use Alexa to control smart devices and even play Pong. Alex Knapp, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024 Your face communicates a lot Facial expressions can even be a form of public information. Gina Park, CNN, 6 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for communicate 

Word History

Etymology

Latin communicatus, past participle of communicare to impart, participate, from communis common — more at mean

First Known Use

1529, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of communicate was in 1529

Dictionary Entries Near communicate

Cite this Entry

“Communicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/communicate. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

communicate

verb
com·​mu·​ni·​cate kə-ˈmyü-nə-ˌkāt How to pronounce communicate (audio)
communicated; communicating
1
a
: to make known
communicate the news
b
: to pass from one to another : transmit
communicate a disease
2
: to transmit information, thought, or feeling so that it is satisfactorily received or understood
the pilot communicated with the airport
3
: to open into each other : connect
the rooms communicate
communicator noun

Medical Definition

communicate

transitive verb
com·​mu·​ni·​cate kə-ˈmyü-nə-ˌkāt How to pronounce communicate (audio)
communicated; communicating
: to cause to pass from one to another
some diseases are easily communicated

More from Merriam-Webster on communicate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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