WordGarden.iocommunication
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /kəmjˌuːnɪkˈeɪʃən/
US
- /kəmˌjunəˈkeɪʃən/
Meanings
Noun
the act or process of sharing information, ideas, or feelings
a message or piece of information sent to someone
mutual understanding or open exchange between people
More meaningsFewer meanings
the technical sending of signals or data between devices or systems
Beyond the definition
Communication isn't just talking—it's the whole messy, beautiful process of sharing thoughts, feelings, and ideas. Think about a little bird chirping to warn its flock of danger, or a painter using colors to tell a story on canvas. Both are communicating! It can be verbal (speaking), nonverbal (body language), written (letters, texts), or even visual (art, signs). It can happen face-to-face or through phones and the internet.
Sometimes communication is easy and flows like a clear river. Other times it's blocked by misunderstandings, distance, or simply not knowing how to say what you mean. A good storyteller understands the power of communication—they know how to draw you in and make you feel connected to their characters. Effective communication builds bridges between people, while poor communication can create walls.
Communication is the process of conveying information, ideas, thoughts, feelings, and emotions through various channels—whether spoken, written, nonverbal, or visual. It's fundamental to human connection and essential for building relationships, sharing knowledge, and achieving common goals.
At its core, communication involves a sender, a message, a channel (the way the message is delivered), and a receiver. But it's rarely that simple! Context plays a huge role—what might be perfectly acceptable in one culture could be offensive in another. Think about negotiating a deal: successful communication requires active listening, empathy, and the ability to understand the other person's perspective.
Communication isn't limited to humans either. Animals communicate through sounds, scents, body language, and even colors. Scientists study animal communication to learn more about their behavior and social structures.
In modern life, we also use the word for the systems that carry messages: phones, radio, email, and the internet. In a workplace, "communications" can mean how an organization shares information with its team, its customers, and the public.
The word "communication" comes from the Latin communicare, meaning "to share." And that's what it's all about—sharing a part of yourself with another being. From a simple smile to a complex scientific paper, communication is the lifeblood of our world. A breakdown in communication can lead to conflict and misunderstanding, while effective communication fosters trust, collaboration, and progress.
Examples
- 1
Teamwork
Good communication between team members kept the project on track.
- 2
Scheduling problem
We had a communication problem because two people were working on different schedules.
- 3
Video calls
Video calls allow face-to-face communication even when people live far apart.
- 4
Customer service
She has excellent communication skills, so customers trust her quickly.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Client email
Most communication with our clients happens by email.
- Patterncommunication with + person/group
exchange of information with that person or group
- 6
Management change
There was a breakdown in communication after the manager left.
- Phrasea breakdown in communication
a failure to share or understand information
- 7
Business contact
The two offices are in regular communication about new orders.
- Phrasein communication
in contact and exchanging information
- 8
Rule explanation
Clear communication of the new rules will help avoid confusion.
- Patterncommunication of + information
giving or explaining that information
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
- transmission
- correspondence
- dialogue
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- effective communication
- communication skills
- written communication
- open communication
Word family
Explore
- message
- information flow
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- communicationnoun
Forms
- communicationspluralnoun