comint: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very low / SpecialistTechnical / Classified / Government / Military / Intelligence
Quick answer
What does “comint” mean?
Intelligence derived from the interception of foreign communications signals, excluding the literal text of the messages (which is SIGINT).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Intelligence derived from the interception of foreign communications signals, excluding the literal text of the messages (which is SIGINT).
The practice, methodology, and organizational structures involved in collecting and analyzing foreign electromagnetic communications, such as radio, satellite, or telephone transmissions, for intelligence purposes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Usage is identical and confined to professional intelligence/military communities in both the US and UK.
Connotations
Highly classified, technical, associated with agencies like GCHQ (UK) and NSA (US).
Frequency
Extremely rare in public discourse; frequency is near-zero for the general population.
Grammar
How to Use “comint” in a Sentence
The agency collects COMINT [on/from/against the target].COMINT indicates [that-clause].They rely heavily on COMINT.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “comint” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The GCHQ team specialises in sophisticated comint against hostile networks.
- The comint provided crucial advance warning of the manoeuvres.
American English
- NSA's comint programs are a cornerstone of national security.
- The report was based on comint, imagery, and human sources.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in very specific political science, international relations, or security studies contexts.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
The primary context. Used in intelligence, military, and cybersecurity documentation and briefings.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “comint”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “comint”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “comint”
- Using 'COMINT' to refer to all electronic intelligence (it's a subset).
- Pronouncing it as /koʊˈmɪnt/ (the first syllable is 'com' as in 'comms').
- Using it in general contexts where 'surveillance' or 'wiretapping' would be more appropriate.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. COMINT traditionally refers to intercepting communications 'in transit' (e.g., radio waves). Hacking often involves gaining unauthorized access to data 'at rest' on a system, though the lines blur in cyber operations.
Primarily national intelligence and security agencies (e.g., NSA, GCHQ), military units, and, in some contexts, law enforcement organisations with appropriate legal authority.
The existence of COMINT is public knowledge, but specific sources, methods, capabilities, and the intelligence product itself are almost always highly classified state secrets.
COMINT deals with communication signals (people talking/data transmitting). ELINT deals with non-communication electronic signals, primarily from radar, missile systems, or other sensors.
Intelligence derived from the interception of foreign communications signals, excluding the literal text of the messages (which is SIGINT).
Comint is usually technical / classified / government / military / intelligence in register.
Comint: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒmɪnt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːmɪnt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: COMmunications INTelligence. It's the 'communication' part of signals spying.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMINT IS A VITAL SENSE (e.g., 'Our COMINT gives us ears in the region.')
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary focus of COMINT?