communication
communication
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "communication" is:
/kəˌmjuːnɪˈkeɪʃən/
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
com-: /kə/
/k/ - voiceless velar stop
/ə/ - schwa (mid-central vowel)
mu-: /mjuː/
/m/ - voiced bilabial nasal
/juː/ - diphthong (a combination of /j/ and /uː/)
/j/ - palatal approximant
/uː/ - long high back rounded vowel
ni-: /nɪ/
/n/ - voiced alveolar nasal
/ɪ/ - short high front unrounded vowel
ca-: /keɪ/
/keɪ/ - diphthong (a combination of /eɪ/)
/k/ - voiceless velar stop
/eɪ/ - diphthong
tion: /ʃən/
/ʃ/ - voiceless postalveolar fricative
/ə/ - schwa (mid-central vowel)
/n/ - voiced alveolar nasal
Word Form Variations
Noun:
communication:
This is the base noun form, referring to the act or process of communicating. It is generally used as an uncountable noun. Therefore it does not have a typical plural form.
Verb:
communicate:
This is the verb form.
Verb forms include:
communicates (third-person singular present)
communicated (past tense and past participle)
communicating (present participle)
Related Forms:
communicative:
This is an adjective, describing someone or something that communicates well.
communicator:
This is a noun, that describes a person who communicates.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun: Communication
Definition:
The process of conveying or exchanging information, ideas, thoughts, or feelings through speech, writing, or other means.
A means of connection between people or places.
The information conveyed.
Synonyms:
Information exchange, dialogue, correspondence, interaction, transmission, connection, discourse.
Antonyms:
Silence, secrecy, miscommunication, misunderstanding, isolation, disconnection.
Verb: Communicate
Definition:
To share or exchange information, ideas, or feelings with someone through speech, writing, or other means.
To be able to successfully transfer information.
To be in contact.
Synonyms:
Convey, inform, express, articulate, transmit, disclose, correspond, interact.
Antonyms:
Conceal, withhold, suppress, misinform, confuse, obfuscate, remain silent.
Adjective: Communicative
Definition:
Willing and able to share information and ideas effectively.
Relating to or facilitating communication.
Synonyms:
Articulate, expressive, forthcoming, talkative, open, sociable, informative.
Antonyms:
Reserved, taciturn, reticent, uncommunicative, inexpressive, secretive.
Noun: Communicator
Definition:
A person who conveys information.
A device that allows for communication.
Synonyms:
speaker, writer, reporter, messenger, broadcaster, correspondent.
Antonyms:
receiver, listener, one who withholds information.
Examples of Use
1. General Public Discourse & News:
"The breakdown in communication between the two departments led to significant project delays." (General public discourse/workplace scenario)
"Effective communication is crucial for building strong relationships." (Relationship advice/self-help discourse)
"Social media platforms have drastically altered the landscape of political communication." (News/political analysis)
Example: "Social media has disrupted traditional political communication, allowing candidates to directly engage with voters." (Pew Research Center, analysis of social media's political impact)
2. Online Publications & Technology:
"Secure communication protocols are essential for protecting user privacy online." (Tech website/article on cybersecurity)
"The app facilitates seamless communication between team members, regardless of their location." (Product review/tech blog)
"The speed of modern communication has increased the rate of information dissemination." (Online Encyclopedia)
3. Books & Literature:
"In George Orwell's 1984, the Party controls all forms of communication to maintain its power." (Literary analysis/book review)
"The author explores the complexities of human communication in the digital age." (Book synopsis/literary criticism)
"The characters struggled with a lack of communication which became the root of their problems." (Fiction novel)
4. Entertainment Mediums & Platforms:
"The film highlights the importance of nonverbal communication in human interaction." (Film review/entertainment website)
"The play explores the challenges of communication within families." (Theater review/arts publication)
"The video game utilizes in-game voice communication for team coordination." (Gaming website/review)
5. Scientific and Academic Uses:
"Animal communication involves a variety of signals, including vocalizations and body language." (Scientific journal/article on animal behavior)
"The study examines the role of communication in organizational management." (Academic paper/business journal)
"The theory of communication outlines the key components of effective information transfer." (Textbook)
10 Famous Quotes Using Communication
"The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." — George Bernard Shaw
"Communication leads to community, that is, to understanding, intimacy, and mutual valuing." — Rollo May
"Effective communication is 20% what you know and 80% how you feel about what you know." — Jim Rohn
"The art of communication is the language of leadership." — James Humes
"Precision of communication is important, more important than ever, in our era of instant communications." — Ted Nelson
"Communication works for those who work at it." — John Powell
"To effectively communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others." — Tony Robbins
"Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something. That’s the difference between communication and noise." — Plato
"The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t said." — Peter Drucker
"Good communication is just as stimulating as black coffee, and just as hard to sleep after." — Anne Morrow Lindbergh
Etymology
Okay, let's break down where "communication" comes from in a simple way:
Imagine you're trying to share something – a message, an idea, anything. That's the heart of "communication." The word itself has a long history, going back to Latin.
Here's the breakdown:
Latin Roots:
The word comes from the Latin word "communicare," which meant "to share," "to impart," or "to make common." Think of it as making something "common" between people.
"Communis" is another latin root which means "common".
Early Use:
The word began to be used in English around the 14th or 15th century. At that time, it generally referred to the act of sharing information, ideas, or feelings.
Essentially, the first uses of the word were very close to its modern meaning. It has always been about the act of making something known to another.
Evolution:
Over time, the word's meaning broadened. With the rise of technology, "communication" also came to mean the means by which information is shared, such as through letters, telephones, or the internet.
So, in essence, "communication" has always been about the process of sharing and making things common between people. It started with simple sharing and has grown to encompass all the ways we connect and exchange information today.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Communication
"Communication" isn't a word that lends itself to a huge number of common, fixed idioms in the way that, say, "heart" or "hand" does. This is likely because it's a relatively abstract concept and a broad term. However, we can explore some phrases and related idioms:
Phrases Using "Communication":
Breakdown in communication: This phrase is extremely common, referring to a failure in the process of conveying information.
Example: "The project failed due to a breakdown in communication between the teams."
Lines of communication: This refers to the channels or methods used for exchanging information.
Example: "We need to keep the lines of communication open."
Open communication: This emphasizes honesty and transparency in sharing information.
Example: "Open communication is essential for a healthy relationship."
Effective communication: This phrase highlights the successful conveyance of information.
Example: "Effective communication skills are valued in the workplace."
Communication skills: The ability to communicate effectively.
Example: "His communication skills were very poor."
Why "Communication" Lacks Many Idioms:
"Communication" is a broad, functional term. It describes a process rather than a concrete object or action. Idioms often rely on metaphorical language related to tangible things.
Many idioms dealing with information transfer focus on the means of communication (e.g., "hear it through the grapevine") rather than the abstract concept itself.
Idioms with Synonyms/Related Concepts:
"Get the message across": This is a very common idiom that means to communicate something effectively. It uses a synonym for communication.
"Put across": Similar to get the message across, this phrase means to express ones self so that one is understood.
"To be on the same wavelength": This idiom, meaning to understand each other well, speaks to effective communication.
"Talk someone's ear off": This idiom, meaning to talk excessively, is the opposite of effective and concise communication.
"A word to the wise": This is an idiom that means that a small amount of communicated information should be enough for someone to understand.
"In the loop": To be included in communication.
Original/Lesser-Known Phrases:
"Communication echoes": This phrase could be used to describe the lingering effects of a message, whether positive or negative.
"The currency of communication": This metaphorical phrase suggests that information and ideas are valuable and exchanged like currency.
While "communication" itself doesn't offer a wealth of traditional idioms, the related phrases and concepts provide a rich vocabulary for discussing the act of sharing information.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of communication from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
