First Known Use: 1626
Dictionary
1contact
noun con·tact \ˈkän-ˌtakt\
: the state or condition that exists when two people or things physically touch each other : a state of touching
: the state or condition that exists when people see and communicate with each other
: an occurrence in which people communicate with each other
Full Definition of CONTACT
1
a : union or junction of surfaces b : the apparent touching or mutual tangency of the limbs of two celestial bodies or of the disk of one body with the shadow of another during an eclipse, transit, or occultation c (1) : the junction of two electrical conductors through which a current passes (2) : a special part made for such a junction
2
a : association, relationship b : connection, communication c : an establishing of communication with someone or an observing or receiving of a significant signal from a person or object <radar contact with Mars>
3
: a person serving as a go-between, messenger, connection, or source of special information <business contacts>
4
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Origin of CONTACT
French or Latin; French, from Latin contactus, from contingere to have contact with — more at contingent
Related to CONTACT
- Synonyms
- connection
Rhymes with CONTACT
abstract, attract, class act, compact, contract, crookbacked, detract, didact, diffract, distract, enact, entr'acte, epact, exact, extract, humpbacked, hunchbacked, impact, infract, intact, mossbacked, playact, protract, react, redact, refract, retract, sex act, subtract, swaybacked, transact, unbacked
2contact
verb con·tact \ˈkän-ˌtakt, kən-ˈ\
: to call or write to (someone or something) : to communicate with (someone or something)
Full Definition of CONTACT
intransitive verb
: to make contact
transitive verb
1
: to bring into contact
2
a : to enter or be in contact with : join b : to get in communication with <contact your local dealer>
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Usage Discussion of CONTACT
The use of contact as a verb, especially in sense 2b, is accepted as standard by almost all commentators except those who write college handbooks.
First Known Use of CONTACT
1834
Related to CONTACT
- Synonyms
- address, communicate (with), get, reach, get hold of, get (or keep) in touch with, touch base (with)
3contact
adjective con·tact \ˈkän-ˌtakt\
sports : allowing players to touch or hit each other
: acting when physical contact occurs
Full Definition of CONTACT
: maintaining, involving, or activated or caused by contact <contact poisons> <contact sports> <contact dermatitis>
See contact defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of CONTACT
1859
CONTACT Defined for Kids
1contact
noun con·tact \ˈkän-ˌtakt\
Definition of CONTACT for Kids
1
: a meeting or touching of persons or things
2
: communication with other people <Have you been in contact with her?> <He has no outside contact.>
3
: a person someone knows who serves as a connection especially in the business or political world <I've got contacts in the company.>
4
Word Root of CONTACT
The Latin word tangere, meaning “to touch,” and its form tactus give us the roots tang and tact. Words from the Latin tangere have something to do with touching. Something tangible is able to be touched. Contact is a meeting or touching of people or things. Something intact is unharmed, whole, and untouched. Anything tactile relates to the sense of touch.
2contact
verb
con·tact·edcon·tact·ing
Definition of CONTACT for Kids
1
: to touch or make touch physically
2
: to get in touch or communication with
3contact
adjective
Definition of CONTACT for Kids
: involving or activated by physical interaction <contact sports> <contact poisons>
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