communication

Noun

communication (countable and uncountable, plural communications)

1. The act or fact of communicating anything; transmission.
   • communication of smallpox
   • communication of a secret
2. (uncountable) The concept or state of exchanging data or information between entities.
   • Some say that communication is a necessary prerequisite for sentience; others say that it is a result thereof.
   • 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.
   • Argument […] and friendly communication.1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life of Henry the Fift”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount...
6. A passageway or opening between two locations; connection.
   • A round archway at the far end of the hallway provided communication to the main chamber.
   • The Euxine Sea is conveniently situated for trade, by the communication it has both with Asia and Europe.1727, John Arbuthnot, Tables of Ancient Coins, Weights and Measures. Explain'd and exemplify'd in several dissertations
7. A connection between two tissues, organs, or cavities.
   • ...and here a free communication had been established between the aorta and the vena cava.1855, William Stokes, The Diseases of the Heart and the Aorta Page 617
8. (obsolete) Association; company.
   • Evil communications corrupt good manners.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Bible Corinthians/#15 1 Corinthians:15–33
9. Participation 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 Christianity
10. (rhetoric) A trope by which a speaker assumes that his hearer is a partner in his sentiments, and says "we" instead of "I" or "you".
    • Communication[…]takes place when a speaker or writer assumes his hearer or reader as a partner in his sentiments and discourse, saying We, instead of I or Ye.1798, James Beattie, Elements of Moral Science