Noun

Singular communication

Plural communications

communication (plural communications)

1. (uncountable) The concept or state of exchanging information between entities.

   Some say that communication is a necessary prerequisite for sentience; others say that it is a result thereof.

2. The potential for information exchange.

   The node had established communication with the network, but had as yet sent no data.

3. A message; the essential data transferred in an act of communication.

   Surveillance was accomplished by means of intercepting the spies' communications.

4. The body of all data transferred to one or both parties during an act of communication.

   The subpoena required that the company document their communication with the plaintiff.

5. An instance of information transfer; a conversation or discourse.

   The professors' communications consisted of lively discussions via email.

6. A passageway or opening between two locations.

   A round archway at the far end of the hallway provided communication to the main chamber.

7. (anatomy) A connection between two tissues, organs, or cavities.
   • 1855, William Stokes, The Diseases of the Heart and the Aorta Page 617

     ...and here a free communication had been established between the aorta and the vena cava.

Related terms

• communicate
• communicator

Derived terms

• communication disorder
• communication engineering
• communications satellite
• confidential communication

• excommunication
• miscommunication
• privileged communication
• telecommunication

Communication is a process of transferring information from one entity to another. Communication processes are sign-mediated interactions between at least two agents which share a repertoire of signs and semiotic rules. Communication is commonly defined as "the imparting or interchange of thoughts, opinions, or information by speech, writing, or signs". Although there is such a thing as one-way communication, communication can be perceived better as a two-way process in which there is an exchange and progression of thoughts, feelings or ideas (energy) towards a mutually accepted goal or direction (information).

Communication is a process whereby information is enclosed in a package and is channeled and imparted by a sender to a receiver via some medium. The receiver then decodes the message and gives the sender a feedback. All forms of communication require a sender, a message, and a receiver. Communication requires that all parties have an area of communicative commonality. There are auditory means, such as speech, song, and tone of voice, and there are nonverbal means, such as body language, sign language, paralanguage, touch, eye contact, and writing.

History