Final answer:
An acknowledgement in the context of communication is a signal or message that confirms the correct receipt of a previous message. It ensures both parties in the exchange understand that the message has been received and processed, and is essential in maintaining data integrity in computer networks.
Step-by-step explanation:
The response given to a sender's message so both parties know that a message was received correctly is commonly referred to as an acknowledgement. In the context of computer networking or communications, an acknowledgement is a signal passed between communicating processes, computers, or devices to signify that a message has been received and understood. If we take the example of email, when you send a message, you might receive a reply or a read receipt that serves as an acknowledgement that your message has been seen. In more technical communication protocols, such as TCP used in Internet networking, acknowledgements are integrated into the data transfer process to ensure data integrity and the reliable delivery of packets.