telecommunication

telecommunication — noun

1. the systems, equipment, and methods used to send information — such as voice, te

1.nounB2
Definition

the systems, equipment, and methods used to send information — such as voice, text, or video — across great distances using electronic or radio signals

Example

The telecommunications industry has created millions of jobs around the world.

telecommunications industry — field/industry collocation

Inês works for a large telecommunications company in São Paulo.

Common collocations
  • telecommunications industry
  • telecommunications company
  • telecommunications network
  • telecommunications equipment
  • telecommunications infrastructure
  • telecommunications sector
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

the telecommunications industry/sector/network

telecommunications + singular verb

Usage Note

Often used in the plural form 'telecommunications' even when describing the field as a whole. With this plural form, use a singular verb: 'Telecommunications is a fast-growing sector.'

Common Mistakes

The telecommunication are expanding rapidly.
Telecommunications is expanding rapidly.
When referring to the technology field as a whole, use 'telecommunications' (plural form) with a singular verb.
He studied telecommunication in university.
He studied telecommunications in university.
The field of study is always 'telecommunications' with an -s.

2. the process of exchanging information with someone who is far away, using phones

2.nounB2
Definition

the process of exchanging information with someone who is far away, using phones, radio, satellites, or the internet

Example

After the earthquake, telecommunication was impossible because all the phone lines were damaged.

uncountable noun with singular verb

Shirin uses telecommunication to call her family in Tehran while studying in London.

Common collocations
  • reliable telecommunication
  • modern telecommunication
  • telecommunication with someone
  • via telecommunication
  • by means of telecommunication
Synonyms
Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

telecommunication + singular verb

by telecommunication

via telecommunication

Usage Note

This sense is uncountable. Do not use 'a telecommunication' to mean one instance of the act — instead use 'a phone call', 'a video call', or specify the medium. 'Telecommunication' without an article refers to the general concept.

Common Mistakes

I had an important telecommunication with my manager.
I had an important video call with my manager.
For a single instance of distant communication, name the specific method rather than using 'telecommunication' as a countable noun.

3. a piece of information — such as a voice message, text, or data — sent electroni

3.nounC1
Definition

a piece of information — such as a voice message, text, or data — sent electronically from one place to another far away

Example

The control room received a telecommunication from the ship requesting urgent help.

countable noun: receive a telecommunication

The telecommunication was cut off mid-sentence when the signal disappeared.

Common collocations
  • incoming telecommunication
  • outgoing telecommunication
  • receive a telecommunication
  • send a telecommunication
  • decode a telecommunication
Synonyms
  • transmission

    more common in technical contexts; slightly broader in meaning

  • dispatch

    formal; often used in military or official communication

Grammar Patterns

a telecommunication

receive/send/decode a telecommunication

Usage Note

This countable sense is relatively rare and very formal. In everyday English, 'message' or 'transmission' is far more common. This sense appears mostly in technical, military, or historical contexts.

Common Mistakes

I sent you three telecommunications yesterday.
I sent you three messages yesterday.
Although grammatically possible in this sense, 'telecommunication' as a countable noun sounds overly formal or technical. Use 'message' in everyday situations.

Word family

  • telecommunications
    nounB2
  • telecommunicate
    verbC2
  • telecom
    nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

These terms all describe exchanging information at a distance, but with important differences. 'Telecommunication' is the broadest term, covering any electronic exchange of voice, text, or data over distance — from phone calls to satellite links. 'Telephony' is narrower, referring specifically to voice communication via telephone systems. 'Remote communication' is more general and can include non-electronic methods such as postal mail. 'Networking' focuses on the interconnection of computers and devices for data exchange, rather than the human-to-human communication aspect. For everyday contexts such as calling family abroad, 'telecommunication' or simply 'phone/video call' is most natural. For technical discussions about data infrastructure, 'networking' or 'telecommunications' (field sense) is preferred.

telecommunication ↗telephony ↗remote communicationnetworking ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • telecommunication company
  • telecommunication network
  • telecommunication system
  • telecommunication service
  • telecommunication equipment
  • telecommunication technology

Phrases

  • telecommunications industry
  • telecommunications infrastructure
  • telecommunications sector
  • telecommunications provider
  • means of telecommunication

Prepositions

  • in telecommunications
  • of telecommunications
  • via telecommunication
  • through telecommunication
  • by telecommunication

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

Formed from the prefix 'tele-', from Greek 'tēle' meaning 'far off' or 'at a distance', combined with 'communication', which comes from Latin 'communicare' meaning 'to share' or 'to make common'. The word first appeared in English in the 1930s as technologies such as radio, telephone, and television made long-distance interaction possible on a large scale. Early usage referred specifically to electrical communication systems, a meaning that later expanded to include digital and satellite technologies.