communicate

verb

com·​mu·​ni·​cate kə-ˈmyü-nə-ˌkāt 

communicated; communicating

transitive verb

1

a

: to convey knowledge of or information about : make known

communicate a story

She communicated her ideas to the group.

b

: to reveal by clear signs

His fear communicated itself to his friends.

He communicated his dissatisfaction to the staff.

2

: to cause to pass from one to another

Some diseases are easily communicated.

3

archaic : share

intransitive verb

1

: to transmit information, thought, or feeling so that it is satisfactorily received or understood

two sides failing to communicate with each other

The computer communicates with peripheral equipment.

2

: to open into each other : connect

The rooms communicate.

3

: to receive Communion

Some Christians communicate in both elements, bread and wine.

communicatee

kə-ˌmyü-ni-kə-ˈtē 

noun

Synonyms

• conduct
• convey
• give
• impart
• spread
• transfer
• transfuse
• transmit

Examples of communicate in a Sentence

He was asked to communicate the news to the rest of the people.

She communicated her ideas to the group.

The two computers are able to communicate directly with one another.

The pilot communicated with the airport just before the crash.

The couple has trouble communicating.

the challenge of getting the two groups to communicate with each other

We communicate a lot of information through body language.

He communicated his dissatisfaction to the staff.

If you're excited about the product, your enthusiasm will communicate itself to customers.

The disease is communicated through saliva.

Recent Examples on the Web

Instead of driving China and North Korea apart, Washington should try to capitalize on Beijing’s power over Pyongyang by urging China to clearly communicate two redlines to its partner. —Sungmin Cho, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2024

This crazy star seems to communicate with a smaller, five-pointed star to its upper right that is mainly light blue, though its loose weave of horizontal and vertical marks also contains other colors. —Barry Schwabsky, ARTnews.com, 5 Nov. 2024

Leaders who communicate policies regarding political expression ensure employees understand the expectations for respectful and inclusive dialogue. —Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

When the technology is limited to medical applications, such as Chang’s device that helps paralyzed people regain the ability to communicate, those applications are covered by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). —Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin communicatus, past participle of communicare to impart, participate, from communis common — more at mean

First Known Use

1529, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Kids Definition

communicate

verb

com·​mu·​ni·​cate kə-ˈmyü-nə-ˌkāt 

communicated; communicating

1

a

: to make known

communicate the news

b

: to pass from one to another : transmit

communicate a disease

2

: to transmit information, thought, or feeling so that it is satisfactorily received or understood

the pilot communicated with the airport

3

: to open into each other : connect

the rooms communicate

communicator

-ˌkāt-ər 

noun

Medical Definition

communicate

transitive verb

com·​mu·​ni·​cate kə-ˈmyü-nə-ˌkāt 

communicated; communicating

: to cause to pass from one to another

some diseases are easily communicated