communication

American  

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

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 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

---

Other Word Forms

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

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

Saab's wife Camilla Fabri, who served as deputy minister for international communication, was also dismissed by Rodriguez in February.

From Barron's • May 17, 2026

With onboard artificial intelligence, spacecraft could respond to unexpected situations in real time when communication delays make human control impractical.

From Science Daily • May 15, 2026

Our living, “breathing,” sky-reaching neighbors have considerable communication skills with each other.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026

Even before fully driverless cars arrive, this growing communication between vehicles and infrastructure will make driving safer and less stressful, reducing surprises and smoothing traffic flow.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

“Told would seem to imply verbal communication. You can’t have verbal communication with a man in New South Wales, you know.”

From "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens

Related Words

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