communication

American  

[kuh-myoo-ni-key-shuhn] / kəˌmyu nɪˈkeɪ ʃən /

noun

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

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

---

Other Word Forms

• communicational adjective
• noncommunication noun
• overcommunication noun
• precommunication noun
• self-communication noun

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) ( 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

This is true—Jefferies analysts rank China ahead of the U.S. in post-quantum cryptography and communication.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

The Bureau of Street Services, the department in charge of paving the city’s streets, is in communication with Waymo regarding the pilot program, said Dan Halden, a spokesperson for the city department.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

Roblox already requires users to pass an age check before they can use chat features, placing people into age bands intended to limit communication between children, teenagers and adults.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

That’s guidance for the couple, not for guests who feel insulted by a lack of communication and use it as leverage for their resentment.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026

Skeptics railed against treating spirit communication as a reality.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

Related Words

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