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.

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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

• 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) ( communicate ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

One emerging solution is optical wireless communication, which uses light instead of radio waves to transmit data.

From Science Daily • Apr. 2, 2026

The inquiry carried out a survey which found 96% of MPs had personally experienced one or more incidents of threatening behaviour or communication.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

That candor doubles as an appealing quality to analysts like Lee, who appreciate Karp’s “transparent communication style.”

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

“The communication that’s going on between the officials in the crew and New York and in the booth in the stadium is ridiculously smooth and quick,” McKay said.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

In this intimate circle they waited for any communication from Estelle’s spirit.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

Related Words

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