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
Miriam Horowitz, the chair of the Fire and Police Commission, asked Norman to elaborate on why the Columbus, Ohio officers were at the park and for issues around communication of out-of-town officers' roles.
—David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2024
An effective communications plan considers the following: Connect with the family in a timely, sensitive, and empathetic manner
Abide by safe reporting on suicide and recovery-friendly language to avoid sensationalizing.
—National Alliance On Mental Illness Of New York City (nami-Nyc), Forbes, 6 Sep. 2024
Signals intelligence is information about targets obtained from electronic signals and communications from those targets such as phone calls, texts, radio waves and other things that create digital data.
—Olivia Gazis, CBS News, 6 Sep. 2024
Goldman’s global head of communications told Fortune in a statement that the bank expects to employ more people in 2024 than in 2023.
—Michael Del Castillo, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for communication 
David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2024
An effective communications plan considers the following: Connect with the family in a timely, sensitive, and empathetic manner
Abide by safe reporting on suicide and recovery-friendly language to avoid sensationalizing.
—National Alliance On Mental Illness Of New York City (nami-Nyc), Forbes, 6 Sep. 2024
Signals intelligence is information about targets obtained from electronic signals and communications from those targets such as phone calls, texts, radio waves and other things that create digital data.
—Olivia Gazis, CBS News, 6 Sep. 2024
Goldman’s global head of communications told Fortune in a statement that the bank expects to employ more people in 2024 than in 2023.
—Michael Del Castillo, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for communication
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'communication.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near communication
Cite this Entry
“Communication.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/communication. Accessed 19 Sep. 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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