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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

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

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>

: a person serving as a go-between, messenger, connection, or source of special information <business contacts>

: contact lens

See contact defined for English-language learners

See contact defined for kids

Origin of CONTACT

French or Latin; French, from Latin contactus, from contingere to have contact with — more at contingent

First Known Use: 1626

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

: to bring into contact

a : to enter or be in contact with : join

b : to get in communication with <contact your local dealer>

See contact defined for English-language learners

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

: a meeting or touching of persons or things

: communication with other people <Have you been in contact with her?> <He has no outside contact.>

: a person someone knows who serves as a connection especially in the business or political world <I've got contacts in the company.>

: contact lens

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.