communication
noun
com·mu·ni·ca·tion
kə-ˌmyü-nə-ˈkā-shən 
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 …—
Richard C. Boucher
Richard C. Boucher
Examples of communication in a Sentence
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.
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Chandhok, the 49ers’ former chief of communications and the prosecution’s star witness, took the stand for the third time on Tuesday in Santa Clara County Superior Court in Morgan Hill, testifying that Becker leaked him the report on Oct. 6, 2022.
—Grace Hase, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
China has since made an effort to avoid being bypassed by maintaining close channels of communication with Pyongyang.
—Sungmin Cho, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2024
Bumble completed the acquisition of Geneva Technologies, Inc. for $17.5 million, with the principal assets being a social networking and communications platform.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024
Starlink beaming communications to spacecraft, and he's been vocal about humanity one day colonizing Mars.
—Michael Kan, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for communication 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Grace Hase, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
China has since made an effort to avoid being bypassed by maintaining close channels of communication with Pyongyang.
—Sungmin Cho, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2024
Bumble completed the acquisition of Geneva Technologies, Inc. for $17.5 million, with the principal assets being a social networking and communications platform.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024
Starlink beaming communications to spacecraft, and he's been vocal about humanity one day colonizing Mars.
—Michael Kan, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for communication
Dictionary Entries Near communication
Cite this Entry
“Communication.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/communication. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
communication
noun
com·mu·ni·ca·tion
kə-ˌmyü-nə-ˈkā-shən
1
: an act or instance of transmitting
2
: information communicated : message
received an important communication
3
: an exchange of information
4
plural
a
: a system (as of telephones) for sending and receiving messages
b
: a system of routes for moving troops, supplies, and vehicles
Medical Definition
communication
noun
com·mu·ni·ca·tion
kə-ˌmyü-nə-ˈkā-shən
1
: the act or process of transmitting information (as about ideas, attitudes, emotions, or objective behavior)
nonverbal interpersonal communication
emotional communication between parent and child—G. S. Blum
: as
G. S. Blum
a
: exchange of information between individuals through a common system of signs, symbols, or behavior
pictorial representation is a usable channel of communication between humans and the chimpanzee
the function of pheromones in insect communication
b
: personal rapport
a lack of communication between young and old persons
2
: information communicated
3
: a connection between bodily parts
an artificial communication between the esophagus and the stomach
Legal Definition
communication
noun
com·mu·ni·ca·tion
kə-ˌmyü-nə-ˈkā-shən
: the expression to another of information or thoughts through speech, writing, or gestures see also confidential communication, privileged communication
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