communication engineering: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Technical / Academic
Quick answer
What does “communication engineering” mean?
The engineering discipline concerned with designing, developing, and optimizing systems for transmitting and receiving information.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The engineering discipline concerned with designing, developing, and optimizing systems for transmitting and receiving information.
A branch of electrical engineering and computer engineering focused on the hardware, software, and theoretical aspects of communication systems, including radio, telecommunications, data networks, and signal processing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The field name is identical. Course and degree titles may vary slightly between universities (e.g., 'Communications Engineering' vs. 'Communication Engineering').
Connotations
Identical technical connotations.
Frequency
Equally common in academic and professional contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “communication engineering” in a Sentence
[Subject] specializes in communication engineering.The [noun] is based on communication engineering.[University] offers a course/programme in communication engineering.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “communication engineering” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The project aims to revolutionise how we communicate, drawing heavily from communication engineering.
American English
- To effectively design the network, we must first understand the principles that communication engineers utilize.
adverb
British English
- The system was designed communication-engineering-wise to be fault-tolerant.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in HR and R&D contexts, e.g., 'We are hiring graduates in communication engineering.'
Academic
The primary context. Refers to a field of study, research area, or academic department.
Everyday
Rare. Might be used when describing one's university major or profession.
Technical
The core context. Refers to the specific technical discipline involving system design, protocols, and hardware.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “communication engineering”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “communication engineering”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “communication engineering”
- Using plural 'communications engineering' inconsistently (both forms exist but the singular 'communication' is standard for the field).
- Misspelling as 'comunication engineering'.
- Confusing it with 'computer engineering' (which is more hardware/software focused, while communication engineering is more about transmission).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a specialized sub-discipline of electrical engineering, focusing specifically on information transmission systems.
Careers in telecommunications companies, network providers, aerospace and defence, broadcasting, and research and development.
Yes, modern communication engineering involves significant software and simulation work, so programming skills (e.g., in Python, MATLAB, C++) are essential.
They are often used interchangeably. 'Telecommunications' traditionally implies longer-distance systems (telephone, satellite), while 'communication engineering' can also include shorter-range data networks, but the distinction is blurred.
The engineering discipline concerned with designing, developing, and optimizing systems for transmitting and receiving information.
Communication engineering is usually technical / academic in register.
Communication engineering: in British English it is pronounced /kəˌmjuːnɪˈkeɪʃən ˌɛnʤɪˈnɪərɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəˌmjunɪˈkeɪʃən ˌɛnʤəˈnɪrɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of it as the engineering of 'talking' for machines and data – building the roads and rules (engineering) for information (communication) to travel.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS ARE PATHWAYS/CONDUITS; ENGINEERING IS CONSTRUCTION.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary focus of communication engineering?