communicate

kuh-MYOO-ni-kayt/kəˈmjuːnɪkeɪt/

Formscommunicates, communicating, communicated

9 meanings of communicate

1
verbintransitive
To share ideas or feelings with other people using words, signs, or actions.
Like passing notes back and forth so each person knows what the other is thinking.
Good teachers communicate clearly with their students.
The two friends communicated by texting late into the night.
Similartalk, correspond, converse, interact, speak
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2
verbtransitive
To tell someone information or news so that they understand it.
Like handing someone a letter so they learn what is inside.
Please communicate the new rules to all the staff.
She communicated the test results to her doctor right away.
Similarconvey, relay, impart, announce, transmit
Oppositewithhold, conceal
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3
verbtransitive
To pass a sickness on to another person or animal.
Like one sick plant passing its disease to the plants growing right next to it.
Infected mosquitoes can communicate malaria to humans.
The sick animals communicated the infection to the rest of the herd.
Similartransmit, spread, carry
4
verbtransitive
To pass something like heat, movement, or a feeling on to another person or thing.
Like a moving ball that bumps another ball and makes it move too.
The hot pan can communicate its heat to the metal handle.
A gentle push communicates motion to the swing.
Similartransmit, transfer, convey, impart
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5
verbintransitive
To be joined to another room, space, or container by an opening or passage.
Like two rooms joined by an open door you can walk straight through.
The kitchen and dining room communicate through a wide doorway.
The cave communicates with the sea through a hidden tunnel.
Similarconnect, join, link
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6
verbintransitive
To take part in Holy Communion by receiving the bread and wine.
Many parishioners communicate every Sunday at the morning service.
She communicated for the first time after her confirmation.
Similarcommune
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7
verbtransitive
To give someone Holy Communion by handing them the bread and wine.
The priest communicated the sick man at his bedside.
A deacon may communicate the children after the sermon.
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Less common meanings

8
verbobsoletetransitive
To share in something or have it in common with others.
thousands that communicate our loss
1603, Ben[jamin] Jonson, Seianus His FallHere, communicate means share, so thousands share in the same loss.
We shall now consider those functions of intelligence which man communicates with the higher beasts.
Here, communicates means shares, so these are abilities people have in common with animals.
Note
9
adjectiveobsolete
Linked or shared with others, not kept apart.
The property of the manhood is communicate with the other nature.
1561, T. Norton, translation of J. CalvinHere, communicate means shared or joined, held in common with the other nature.
Art..gives a natural scope, and lasting experience, to Genius. Artists are men of a communicate genius.
1893, W. Allingham, Varieties in ProseHere, communicate means shared, so these artists have a genius they share with others.
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Practice

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Origins

Meanings 1–8

It comes from Latin communico, meaning to share or make common, from communis meaning common.

Meaning 9

It comes from Middle English communicate, borrowed from Latin communicatus, meaning to make common.