communication
Pluralcommunications (some meanings)
- 1Sharing information, ideas, or feelings with others, for example by talking, writing, or sending signals.
Like a bridge that lets two sides reach across to each other.
Communication between people helps them understand each other.
Animals use sound and movement for communication.
UsageSay communication between people, or communication with someone.
- 2A message, letter, or talk that passes information from one person or group to another.
Like one letter in a long back-and-forth of letters.
Their last communication was a short text before the storm hit.
Every communication between them ended in an argument.
UsageOne message is a communication. Communications can mean all the messages between people.
Note
- 3A path or opening that joins two places.
Like a hallway that connects two rooms.
A narrow communication linked the two underground rooms.
A small door was the only communication between the two rooms.
UsageSay communication between two places. Here it means a way through, not a message.
Similarpassage, passageway, connection, link, channel
Note
- 4The systems people use to send messages and information, like mail and telephone services.
The storm cut off communications to the island for two days.
Soldiers worked all night to repair the town's communications.
Similartelecommunications
Note
Less common meanings
- 5The state of keeping company or being associated with others.
Evil communications corrupt good manners.
1611, The Holy Bible, King James VersionHere, communications means the company you keep, the people you spend time with.Note
- 6An opening that joins two parts inside the body, such as organs or cavities.
- 7The act of taking part in Holy Communion.
We admit them in the Church to a right of Communication to drink of the Cup of the Bloud of Christ.
1672, William Cave, Primitive ChristianityHere, communication means taking part in Holy Communion. - 8A way of speaking in which someone says "we" instead of "I" or "you", treating the listener as sharing the same feelings.
Practice
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Origin
It came through Middle English and Old French from Latin communicatio, meaning 'sharing' or 'communicating', from the verb communico 'I share, I impart'.
Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 3 facts
- Communication came through Middle English and Old French from Latin communicatio. en.wiktionary.org
- Latin communicatio means sharing or communicating. en.wiktionary.org
- Latin communicatio derives from the verb communico, meaning I share or I impart. en.wiktionary.org