contact

Formscontacts, contacting, contacted

Pluralcontacts (some meanings)

1. 1
   reach someoneverbtransitive

   To get in touch with someone by phone, email, or another way.

   Please contact the school if your child will be absent.

   She contacted three companies before one offered her a job.

   UsageSay contact someone (not incorrect: contact with someone).

   Similarreach, call, phone, approach

2. 2
   touchingnoununcountable

   When two things or people touch each other, or stay close together.

   Rugby is a game of heavy physical contact between players.

   Keep the two wires apart so they never make contact.

   UsageSay come into contact with something.

   Similartouch, association, connection, proximity, interaction

   Note
3. 3
   communicationnoununcountable

   When you reach someone or stay in touch with them.

   We lost contact with my cousin after she moved overseas.

   The pilot made radio contact with the tower before landing.

   UsageSay in contact with or lose contact with.

   Similarcommunication, touch, connection, correspondence

   Note
4. 4
   person you knownouncountable

   A person you know and can reach when you need help or information.

   My uncle has a contact at the factory who helped me get an interview.

   He asked his contacts in the music world about the new band.

   UsageSay a contact at a company.

   Similarsource, connection, acquaintance, informant

5. 5
   way to reachnouncountable

   A phone number or other way to reach a person.

   The only contact on the sign was a phone number.

   The flyer lists a phone number as the contact for questions.

   UsageOften contact number or contact details.

   Similarnumber

6. 6
   eye lensnouncolloquialcountable

   A small, clear piece of plastic you wear on your eye to help you see.

   Like tiny invisible glasses that sit right on your eyes.

   I lost a contact at the pool and couldn't see all afternoon.

   She takes her contacts out every night before bed.

   UsageYou wear contacts or put them in.

   Similarlens

7. 7
   to touchverbtransitive

   To touch something, or to come together with it physically.

   Make sure the bare wire does not contact the metal frame.

   The robot's arm stops as soon as it contacts the box.

   Similartouch, meet

8. 8
   sightingnoununcountable

   Being able to see something or someone from where you are.

   The lifeguard stayed in visual contact with the swimmers the whole afternoon.

   The pilot lost visual contact with the runway in the thick fog.

   UsageUsually used in the phrase visual contact with.

   Note

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