communication

[kuh-myoo-ni-key-shuhn]

noun

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.

communication

/ 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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of communication¹

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

Example Sentences

Fed officials have only one more week to air their views about monetary policy in public before a communications blackout begins ahead of the next Fed meeting, which is scheduled for Oct.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Bank of America points out that in the third quarter, small-caps and the tech and communications services sectors were the best stock market performers.

Read more on Barron's

Money-management and communication problems are two of the easiest rabbit holes to fall into as a married couple, especially two people who are under a lot of stress raising kids and holding down jobs.

Read more on MarketWatch

But the court heard that Farouk was an undercover operative and through their communication with him the police were able to stop their plans.

Read more on BBC

The plot of “Heart the Lover” hinges on the sort of surprises and communication glitches that were more prevalent before smartphones enabled constant connectivity.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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