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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

“Let’s stay in communication, and let’s see when the time to give the green light is,” Roberts said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 5, 2026

The main focus of the meeting will be on communication, “and here the data-dependent, no-precommitment ECB is likely to remain relatively tight-lipped,” they said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026

These cables carry about 99% of global communication traffic.

From BBC ● Sep. 3, 2026

"We hope his group survived but ended up without any means of communication."

From Barron's ● Sep. 3, 2026

“And therefore,” I went on, “with your leave, I will suggest that we hold no kind of communication in future.”

From "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens

Mr. Hastert reported that the intelligence community used “analog rhythms” to monitor suspicious communications.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026

Authorities would have powers to restrict basic freedoms such as freedom of movement and assembly and, most controversially of all, intercept communications in specific geographic areas.

From Barron's ● Sep. 3, 2026

According to Matson, some of the communications stated that he lives across the street from the property at issue, publicizing his address.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 3, 2026

Reliable's solution is to have a remote pilot on the ground, initially fully trained, to handle communications and make safety-critical decisions.

From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2026

Women of other countries served in World War I as nurses, ambulance drivers, and communications personnel.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein

Related Words

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