communication

American  

[kuh-myoo-ni-key-shuhn] / kəˌmju nɪˈkeɪ ʃən /

noun

communications plural

1. the act or process of communicating; fact of being communicated.

2. the imparting or interchange of thoughts, opinions, or information by speech, writing, or signs.

3. something imparted, interchanged, or transmitted.

4. a document or message imparting news, views, information, etc.

5. passage, or an opportunity or means of passage, between places.

6. communications,

   1. means of sending messages, orders, etc., including telephone, telegraph, radio, and television.

   2. routes and transportation for moving troops and supplies from a base to an area of operations.

7. Biology.

   1. activity by one organism that changes or has the potential to change the behavior of other organisms.

   2. transfer of information from one cell or molecule to another, as by chemical or electrical signals.

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communication British  

/ kəˌmjuːnɪˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of communicating; the imparting or exchange of information, ideas, or feelings

2. something communicated, such as a message, letter, or telephone call

3. 1. (usually plural; sometimes functioning as singular) the study of ways in which human beings communicate, including speech, gesture, telecommunication systems, publishing and broadcasting media, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      communication theory

4. a connecting route, passage, or link

5. (plural) military the system of routes and facilities by which forces, supplies, etc, are moved up to or within an area of operations

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• noncommunication
  noun
• overcommunication
  noun
• precommunication
  noun
• self-communication
  noun
• communicational
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• communications
  plural

Etymology

Origin of communication

First recorded in 1375–1425; Middle English communicacioun, from Middle French, from Latin commūnicātiōn-, stem of commūnicātiō, equivalent to commūnicāt(us) ( see communicate) + -iō -ion

Explanation

Good communication is at the heart of good relationships. Communication is the process of giving information or ideas to someone, as by using words, actions, or sounds. In the plural form, communications has a few specialized meanings: a field of study, a profession, or a system involving the sending of information to people by the use of technology such as radio or satellite. In these senses, communications can be used with a singular or plural verb. The noun communication is from Latin communicare "to share, participate" (from communis "common") plus the suffix –ion "an act or process."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

communication communications

In data centers, optical communication networks, and future computing systems, moving signals rapidly is only part of the challenge.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 22, 2026

This is just your boss’s preferred communication style.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 21, 2026

He said he thinks it’s “actually kind of cruel” to restrict communication between a patient and “the doctor who … guides” that patient to a “renewed life.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 18, 2026

He added that his government was "in close communication" with provinces and local communities.

From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026

There was too much daylight for the communication stone to work.

From "Healer of the Water Monster" by Brian Young

This space weather can interfere with satellites, communications, navigation systems, and electrical power grids on Earth.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 21, 2026

“We see the pullback presenting an opportunity to gain exposure to the leader across launch, communications and space infrastructure,” Golding said.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 21, 2026

"These would include satellites supporting services that millions rely on every day, from agriculture and fisheries to disaster management, communications, connectivity, navigation and national security. So, the economic opportunity is huge."

From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2026

Clough, still doing well four years after a diagnosis of anaplastic thyroid cancer, said people can’t believe it when she tells them about the prohibition on communications with her doctor in Texas.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 18, 2026

A hurricane knocked out communications and we couldn’t get a doctor.

From "Cheaper by the Dozen" by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey

Related Words

• connection
• contact
• conversation
• delivery
• intelligence
• link
• transmission