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

The rules of the group chat are simple: No communication beyond a photo and a number.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026

"For a period during the investigation into David Griffiths, there was lapse in communication with one of the victims and a written apology was issued," a spokeswoman said.

From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2026

But Pete Etchells, professor of science communication at Bath Spa University, cautioned against relying too much on them.

From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026

The scientists say this combination of specialized pathways and electrical communication offers the retina the best of both approaches.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 14, 2026

He was left with his favored mode of communication, his letter to investors.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

The departures began in October, when Zach Seidl, Bass’ longtime deputy mayor of communications, left for the private sector.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026

You look at United and Delta, which I think have done a really nice job of elevating the communications, the technology, premiumization of that experience.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026

Lucy Kemp, a strategic brand and communications leader at the IT company La Fosse and an employee experience specialist, agrees.

From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026

Because they can potentially encode and store information, researchers see them as promising building blocks for future data storage, communications, and computing technologies.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 13, 2026

Navy divers, or "frogmen," used a mini-submarine to place a "pod" on an important Soviet underwater communications cable in the Sea of Okhotsk, north of Japan and near the eastern coast of the Soviet Union.

From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau

Related Words

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