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communiqué

American  
[kuh-myoo-ni-key, kuh-myoo-ni-key] / kəˌmju nɪˈkeɪ, kəˈmju nɪˌkeɪ /

noun

  1. an official bulletin or communication, usually to the press or public.


communiqué British  
/ kəˈmjuːnɪˌkeɪ /

noun

  1. an official communication or announcement, esp to the press or public

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of communiqué

1850–55; < French: literally, communicated, past participle of communiquer < Latin commūnicāre to communicate

Explanation

A communique is an official message that's sent between people or to a media outlet. A company might release a communique to the local newspaper announcing the name of the new CEO. Any kind of formal announcement, report, or statement can be called a communique, especially if someone in authority issues it. Your boss might send out a communique to all her employees letting them know about a new company policy, for example. The word comes from the French communiqué, or "communicated," and even in English is often spelled with the French accent on the e — a good reminder of how it's pronounced, with a final ay sound.

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Vocabulary lists containing communique

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

A footnote in China’s latest statistical communiqué further suggests a redefinition of the metric.

From The Wall Street Journal May 31, 2026

In August 2025, train drivers' union Semaf issued a communiqué warning that the state of a number of AVE lines was causing "a lack of comfort and reliability" for those travelling.

From BBC Jan. 20, 2026

President Emmanuel Macron has sent a communiqué concerning the Louisiana Purchase.

From Salon Dec. 27, 2024

At the meeting’s end, health ministers from 12 African countries, half of whom attended, issued a communiqué that called for establishing an Africa Taskforce for Mpox Coordination.

From Science Magazine Apr. 19, 2024

Chess Federation sent a communiqué to the Icelandic Chess Federation asking about the disposition of Bobby’s body, presumably wanting to bring him back to the United States, a move that Bobby would have detested.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

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