communications
Messages between parties
Communications is the plural of communication, but often functions as a distinct concept—the field or infrastructure of transmitting information.
A communications major studies media, rhetoric, and message design.
Communications systems include phones, satellites, and networks.
A company's communications department handles public messaging and media relations.
The singular communication emphasizes the act or content; the plural emphasizes the apparatus or discipline.
Message-conveying cue
- broadcastTransmitted media signal
- transmissionSending of information
- antennaBroadcast signal receiver
- transmitterSignal-emitting device
receiver · frequency · radio · satellite · wireless · bandwidth · modulation · spectrum
Apply force downward
- journalismNews gathering and dissemination
- broadcastingMass signal transmission
- televisionBroadcast viewing device
- radioElectromagnetic wave receiver
newspaper · publishing · advertising · public relations · propaganda · mass media · social media · newswire
Transmitted communication
- dataFacts for analysis
- newsReports of recent events
- intelligenceMental ability, cognitive capacity
- briefingConcise information session
report · update · alert · notice · memo · disclosure · notification · transmission
Interconnected computer systems
- routerPacket-forwarding network device
- ethernetWired networking standard
- LANLocalized computer linkage
- WANGeographically dispersed data infrastructure
firewall · modem · fiber · broadband · protocol · server · infrastructure · VPN
Passage for transmission
- linkPoint of connection
- interfaceShared connection point
- conduitTube conveying fluid or cables
- pipelineLong-distance fluid transport tube
bridge · nexus · hub · junction · gateway · pathway · medium · circuit
Exchange of spoken ideas
- discussionExchange of ideas
- discourseFormal communication on subjects
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
- consultationMeeting seeking expert guidance
correspondence · exchange · interaction · contact · liaison · rapport · diplomacy · mediation
signal
Message-conveying cue
- broadcastTransmitted media signal
- transmissionSending of information
- antennaBroadcast signal receiver
transmitter · receiver · frequency · radio · satellite · wireless · bandwidth · modulation · spectrum · microwave
press
Apply force downward
- journalismNews gathering and dissemination
- broadcastingMass signal transmission
- televisionBroadcast viewing device
radio · newspaper · publishing · advertising · public relations · propaganda · mass media · social media · newswire · bulletin
message
Transmitted communication
- dataFacts for analysis
- newsReports of recent events
- intelligenceMental ability, cognitive capacity
briefing · report · update · alert · notice · memo · disclosure · notification · transmission · missive
internet
Interconnected computer systems
- routerPacket-forwarding network device
- ethernetWired networking standard
- LANLocalized computer linkage
WAN · firewall · modem · fiber · broadband · protocol · server · infrastructure · VPN · gateway
channel
Passage for transmission
pipeline · bridge · nexus · hub · junction · gateway · pathway · medium · circuit · line
conversation
Exchange of spoken ideas
- discussionExchange of ideas
- discourseFormal communication on subjects
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
consultation · correspondence · exchange · interaction · contact · liaison · rapport · diplomacy · mediation · parley
- satellite usesGPS, weather forecasting, broadcasting, navigation, satellite TV
- seamanshipseamanship, steering, anchoring, navigation, chartwork
- military readinessreadiness, mobilization, deployment, drills, training
- military supportmedical services, transportation, engineering, logistics, supply
- naval dutiesanchor watch, battle stations, damage control, general quarters, guard duty
- other military serviceslogistics, supply, transport, signals, medics
communicationssecrets
Concealed information
secrecy · concealment · suppression · censorship · nondisclosure
communicationsisolation
Complete separation from others
disconnection · blackout · radio silence · incommunicado · severance
communicationssilence
Total lack of sound
silences · muteness · speechlessness · wordlessness · nonresponse
- communication channelsPaths for conveying messages
- visual communicationSharing ideas through sight
- business communicationProfessional information exchange
- communication breakdownFailure to convey meaning
- communication skillsCapacity to exchange ideas
- open communicationUnrestricted exchange of information