To communicate means to share information, ideas, or feelings with someone else. When you communicate, you're trying to make sure another person understands what's in your mind: you might explain how to solve a math problem, describe what happened at recess, or tell your parents why you're upset about something.

Communication happens in many ways. You communicate through words when you talk or write, but you also communicate without speaking: a smile communicates happiness, crossed arms might communicate that someone feels defensive, and a thumbs-up communicates approval. Even animals communicate, though differently than humans do: birds sing to mark their territory, wolves howl to locate their pack, and bees perform dances to show other bees where flowers are.

Good communication means being clear enough that others understand you and paying attention when others communicate with you. If you give someone directions that are too vague or complicated, you haven't communicated well. If you're looking at your phone while your friend is trying to tell you something important, you're not really communicating because you're not listening or responding.