wireless

American  

[wahyuhr-lis] / ˈwaɪər lɪs /

adjective

1. having no wire.

2. noting or pertaining to any of various devices that are operated with or actuated by electromagnetic waves.

3. Chiefly British. radio.

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noun

1. wireless telegraphy or telephony.

2. a wireless telegraph or telephone, or the like.

3. any system or device, as a cell phone, for transmitting messages or signals by electromagnetic waves.

4. a wireless message.

5. Chiefly British. radio.

verb (used with or without object)

1. to telegraph or telephone by wireless.

wireless British  

/ ˈwaɪəlɪs /

adjective

1. communicating without connecting wires or other material contacts

   wireless networks

   wireless internet connection

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noun

1. old-fashioned another word for radio

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• wirelessly
  adverb
• wirelessness
  noun
• prewireless
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of wireless

First recorded in 1890–95; wire + -less

Example Sentences

Not to be taken for granted at this price point, the GV80 supports wireless connectivity through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 6, 2026

That business is coming from wireless network operators, including Verizon Communications and AT&T.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

This means energy from wireless transmissions or other ambient sources could potentially be transformed into usable electricity without relying on conventional diodes or other bulky electronic components.

From Science Daily • Jun. 4, 2026

The broadband market has already been experiencing upheaval as wireless companies — AT&T included — push fixed wireless access, or FWA, a technology that uses spare mobile capacity to provide customers with home internet service.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 3, 2026

Gregarious Simulation Systems was located less than a mile away, so I was able to use one of their complimentary wireless access points instead of one of the city nodes owned by IOI.

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline