Communication is called a process because it happens through a series of connected, ongoing steps (from idea in the sender’s mind to understanding in the receiver’s mind) rather than in a single moment.

What does “communication is a process” mean?

When we say communication is a process, we mean:

  • It unfolds in stages: idea formation, encoding, sending, receiving, decoding, and feedback.
  • It involves several elements working together: sender, message, channel, receiver, feedback, context, environment, and possible “noise.”
  • It is continuous and dynamic, not a one-time event; every message you send affects what comes next.

A simple example:
You think of a joke (idea), choose words and tone (encoding), say it out loud (channel), your friend hears it (receiving), interprets it (decoding), and then laughs or looks confused (feedback). That reaction shapes what you say next.

Key reasons communication is a process

1. There are multiple steps

Most models of communication describe a chain such as:

  1. Idea formation (you decide what you want to say).
  2. Encoding (turning ideas into words, gestures, or symbols).
  3. Transmission (sending the message through a channel like speech, text, email, etc.).
  4. Decoding (the receiver interprets the message).
  5. Feedback (their response returns information to you).

Because each step depends on the previous one, the whole thing works like a cycle rather than a single action.

2. Many elements must coordinate

Common elements in the communication process include:

  • Sender – person who starts the message.
  • Message – information, idea, feeling, or opinion being shared.
  • Channel/medium – how the message travels (face-to-face, phone, email, social media, etc.).
  • Receiver – person or group who gets and interprets the message.
  • Feedback – reply that shows whether the message was understood.
  • Context & environment – situation, culture, physical setting, and relationship between people.
  • Noise/interference – anything that distorts meaning (bad network, distractions, language barriers, emotional stress).

All of these interact, which is why communication is described as a structured process instead of a simple “sending of words.”

3. It is ongoing and dynamic

Communication doesn’t really “stop”:

  • Each message changes how the next one is understood (for example, a harsh comment makes later messages feel more tense).
  • People constantly adjust their words, tone, and behavior based on feedback and context.
  • Relationships evolve over time because of repeated exchanges of messages.

This constant adaptation and mutual influence is why some authors call communication a transactional process.

4. It aims at shared understanding

Definitions of communication often say it is the process of creating and sharing information to reach a common understanding.

  • The goal is not just to send words but to have the receiver understand them as the sender intended.
  • The process helps move from private thought (in the sender’s mind) to shared meaning (between sender and receiver).

If any part of the process fails (poor encoding, wrong channel, noise, no feedback), understanding breaks down.

Mini example: why the “process” idea matters today

Think of a modern workplace chat:

  • A manager types a message, chooses emojis, and tags a person (encoding).
  • They send it in a team channel (transmission via digital channel).
  • A team member reads it on mobile, in a noisy environment, after a stressful meeting (context, noise).
  • They reply with a short “OK” (feedback), which the manager might see as agreement or passive resistance depending on tone and history.

Understanding communication as a process helps both sides see how context, channel, timing, and feedback shape the final meaning, not just the words used.

In one line:
Communication is a process because it is a continuous, multi-step, interactive flow of messages and feedback between people, aimed at turning private ideas into shared understanding in a specific context.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.