1
contact
/ˈkɑːnˌtækt/
noun
plural
contacts
plural
contacts
Britannica Dictionary definition of CONTACT
1
[noncount]
:
the state or condition that exists when two people or things physically touch each other
:
a state of touching
-
Physical contact between a mother and child is very important.
-
the point of contact between the bat and the ball [=the point where the bat and ball touch each other]
-
a disease that is spread by sexual contact
-
The players made contact [=touched or hit each other] and a foul was called.
-
The train's wheels should make contact with [=touch] the track continuously.
-
Do not let your skin come in/into contact with [=touch] the acid.
-
The chemical kills germs on contact [=as soon as the chemical touches the germs]
2
a
[noncount]
:
the state or condition that exists when people see and communicate with each other
-
The actor has had little contact with the public [=has not interacted much with the public] in recent years.
-
It was during that time that native people first came into/in contact with [=first saw and began communicating with] the settlers.
-
She joined a book club to get a little human contact [=interaction with other people] while the kids were in school.
◊ Your contact information is the information (such as your telephone number, address, or e-mail address) that tells someone how to communicate with you.
◊ If you are in contact with someone, you communicate with them sometimes.
-
“Are you in contact [=in touch] with them?” “No, I haven't been in contact with them for years. I don't even know where they live anymore.”
-
We kept/stayed in close contact [=we communicated often] after college.
-
He's been in direct contact with the president. [=he has communicated directly with the president]
-
We'd lost touch, but a mutual friend put us in contact (with each other) again.
◊ If you lose contact with someone or something, you are no longer able to communicate with that person or thing.
-
I lost contact [=lost touch] with her years ago, but recently got her e-mail address through a mutual friend.
-
We lost radio contact with the ship for a short time. [=we could not communicate with the ship using their radio]
◊ If you make/establish contact, you have succeeded in communicating with someone.
-
She's been trying to make contact with distant relatives.
-
The phone system wasn't working so we weren't able to make contact.
-
We were finally able to establish contact with them.
b
[count]
:
an occurrence in which people communicate with each other
—
see also eye contact
3
[count]
:
a person who you know and who can be helpful to you especially in business
◊ Someone who is listed as a contact in information from a company or organization is the person you can write to or call with questions about that company or organization.
5
[count]
a
:
the connection of two objects (such as pieces of metal) that allows an electrical current to pass through them
b
:
a part through which electricity passes from one object to another
2
contact
/ˈkɑːnˌtækt/
verb
contacts;
contacted;
contacting
2
contact
/ˈkɑːnˌtækt/
verb
contacts;
contacted;
contacting
Britannica Dictionary definition of CONTACT
[+ object]
:
to call or write to (someone or something)
:
to communicate with (someone or something)
-
For more information, contact the city's tourism office.
-
We were able to contact them by radio.
-
She contacted everyone on the list.
3
contact
/ˈkɑːnˌtækt/
adjective
3
contact
/ˈkɑːnˌtækt/
adjective
Britannica Dictionary definition of CONTACT
always used before a noun
1
sports
:
allowing players to touch or hit each other
2
:
acting when physical contact occurs