Chat refers to the process of communicating, interacting and/or exchanging messages over the Internet. It involves two or more individuals that communicate through a chat-enabled service or software.
Chat is also known as chatting, online chat or Internet chat.
Chat may be delivered through text, verbal, audio, visual or audio-visual (A/V) communication via the Internet. If conducted through a desktop, chat requires software that supports Internet Relay Chat (IRC) or an instant messenger application, where a central server manages chat communication between different end user clients.
There are also online chat services that require users to sign up with a valid email address. After signing up, a user may join a group chat room or send a private message to another individual. Online chat services have purpose-built chat interfaces that manage the entire communication processes.
Synonyms
Online Chat, Internet Chat, Chatting
Share this Term
Tech moves fast! Stay ahead of the curve with Techopedia!
Join nearly 200,000 subscribers who receive actionable tech insights from Techopedia.
Latest Articles
By: Justin Stoltzfus | Contributor, Reviewer
By: Justin Stoltzfus | Contributor, Reviewer
By: John Meah | Certified Cybersecurity Consultant
By: Justin Stoltzfus | Contributor, Reviewer
