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Which word shares a Latin root with communication?

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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

North Korea demolished the South's liaison office in its territory and later swore off all communication with them.

From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026

Yet the show, now on view at the Brick through Sept. 19, is an achingly beautiful meditation on the difficulty of communication and the shared goodwill that intermittently, imperfectly, surmounts it.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2026

The powerful sister of Kim Jong Un said Wednesday she was "unaware" of reported communication between her brother and Donald Trump, but said ties between the two remained "excellent."

From Barron's ● Aug. 19, 2026

They are relying more heavily on their networks, learning how to use AI and sharpening their communication skills and personal qualities — such as coachability, curiosity and reliability — to find work and stay employed.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 19, 2026

Rondon’s gifts of metal tools were a persuasive means of communication, allowing him to forge a fragile friendship.

From "Death on the River of Doubt" by Samantha Seiple

After leaving the station, he worked as the communications director for the New England Whalers but was later fired from the role in 1978.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026

Despite working full time for a communications company, the balance grows every month.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026

MacCleary, in his letter to ISC chairman Lord Beamish, said the security of the prime minister's communications "ought to be an absolute priority".

From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026

The antenna being replaced is key to high-speed communications and data transmission between the ISS and mission control in Houston, she added.

From Barron's ● Aug. 18, 2026

By 1920, he was heading up research into codes and ciphers for the Signal Corps, the Army unit in charge of communications.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield

Related Words

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