1
a
: a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behavior
the function of pheromones in insect communication
also : exchange of information
b
: personal rapport
a lack of communication between old and young persons
2
a
: information communicated : information transmitted or conveyed
b
: a verbal or written message
The captain received an important communication.
3
communications plural
a
: a system (as of telephones or computers) for transmitting or exchanging information
wireless electronic communications
b
: a system of routes for moving troops, supplies, and vehicles
c
: personnel engaged in communicating : personnel engaged in transmitting or exchanging information
4
communications plural in form but singular or plural in construction
a
: a technique for expressing ideas effectively (as in speech)
b
: the technology of the transmission of information (as by print or telecommunication)
5
: an act or instance of transmitting
the communication of disease
6
anatomy : a connection between bodily parts
Surprisingly little is known about the communication
between the alveolar and terminal bronchiolar surfaces …—
communicational
adjective
Synonyms
Example Sentences
Communication between children in the class was not prohibited but was afforded time slots … —Jonathan Kozol, Harper's, September 2005 It's not an oral communication. It's body language, eye contact, the grinning, the little signals that go on between people. —Keith Richards, quoted in Rolling Stone, 14-28 July 1994 If the book is good and even if one is reading to oneself, what is happening is a very special sort of social event, a communication between writer and reader … —Walker Percy, "Another Message In The Bottle," in Signposts in a Strange Land, 1991 This is a secret and confidential communication which I am trusting you to answer on the sly. —Alexander Woollcott, letter, 20 Oct. 1934 Whom else had she to open her heart to? If she did not need counsel, she must need the comfort of communication. —Jane Austen, Mansfield Park, 1814 You don't talk to him, he talks at you. You scream and shout at each other, but there's no communication. —Zadie Smith, White Teeth He is studying insect communication. There was a breakdown in communication between members of the group. television and other means of mass communication Communications is a growing industry. He majored in communications in college. See More
Recent Examples on the Web But the transcripts still provide a view into the Trump team's coordinated efforts in Nevada to overturn the results of the election — efforts that included direct communication between McDonald and the president himself. —CBS News, 23 Dec. 2022 The city of Uvalde did not respond to detailed questions about the communication between police and medics or about its training for mass shootings, citing ongoing litigation. —Anchorage Daily News, 20 Dec. 2022 Skip-Level Meetings Skip-level meetings encourage interaction outside of the traditional line of communication between managers and their direct reports. —Andrew Kirk, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2022 Kentucky’s wasn’t the only case where the OCR extended its monitoring period or had lengthy delays in communication between the agency and the schools. —Rachel Axon, USA Today, 15 Dec. 2022 But there needs to be more communication between workers and managers for a productive solution, the report finds. —Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 13 Dec. 2022 That information, important for maintaining a habitable capsule for the crew and ensuring communication between the craft and engineers on the ground, will help the team prepare for Artemis 2. —Ramin Skibba, WIRED, 12 Dec. 2022 Stiff-person syndrome overall disrupts the normal pathways of communication between the brain and the muscles. —Aria Bendix, NBC News, 8 Dec. 2022 The subpoenas asked for any and all communication between the officials and Mr. Trump, his aides, and many Trump allies. —Peter Grier, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Dec. 2022 See More
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'communication.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Word History
Etymology
see communicate
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 5
Time Traveler
The first known use of communication was in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near communication
Cite this Entry
“Communication.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, //www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/communication. Accessed 30 Dec. 2022.
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Last Updated: 26 Dec 2022 - Updated example sentences
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