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Synonyms

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.


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

    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

  3. a connecting route, passage, or link

  4. (plural) military the system of routes and facilities by which forces, supplies, etc, are moved up to or within an area of operations

"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

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Nouns

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."

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing communication

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:

As Warsh has promised less communication over interest-rate intentions, investors will have no choice but to turn their attention to data and the next meeting in two months.

From MarketWatch Jul. 27, 2026

The internet is no longer just a network of information or communication platforms; it is gradually evolving into a landscape people emotionally navigate and fully inhabit.

From Science Daily Jul. 26, 2026

Timnit Gebru, a prominent AI researcher, on LinkedIn called the lab’s communication “top notch propaganda.”

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 25, 2026

Nethy Bridge residents said there had not been enough communication from the government about the wildfire, and also criticised the time that was taken to declare it a major incident.

From BBC Jul. 25, 2026

This nonverbal communication of Tiamat's was starting to get out of hand!

From "Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher" by Bruce Coville

Those companies and others are looking to deploy scores of satellites for communications, military purposes and potentially even artificial-intelligence computing.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 28, 2026

Louise Brockett, spokeswoman and head of communications at W.W.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 28, 2026

His confirmation could also help revive negotiations over Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which allows the US government to collect communications involving foreigners abroad without an individual warrant.

From Barron's Jul. 28, 2026

Such press briefings have been in doubt as Warsh has looked to reform the Fed’s manner of communications.

From MarketWatch Jul. 27, 2026

On this front, my team had been wrangling with Barack’s communications staff over an idea I’d had to host a Halloween party for kids at the White House.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

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