antenna

[ an-ten-uh ]

/ ænˈtɛn ə /

noun, plural an·ten·nas for 1, an·ten·nae [an-ten-ee] /ænˈtɛn i/ for 2.

a conductor by which electromagnetic waves are sent out or received, consisting commonly of a wire or set of wires; aerial.

Zoology. one of the jointed, movable, sensory appendages occurring in pairs on the heads of insects and most other arthropods.

RELATED WORDS

wire, receiver, aerial, whip, bullwhip

Nearby words

Origin of antenna

1640–50; < Latin: a sailyard

Related formsan·ten·nal, adjectivepost·an·ten·nal, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for antennas

Says antennas are for civilian use only, to help Russian tourists find malls with Disney stores.
P.J. O’Rourke on Foreign Policy and France, Hold the Swiss|P. J. O’Rourke|January 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Molex specializes in little-noticed but vital devices like connectors, antennas, and switches.
Get Ready to Support the Kochs, Liberal Apple Fans|Daniel Gross|September 10, 2013|DAILY BEAST
I got out my camera and took as many pictures as I could of the van and its antennas.
Little Brother|Cory Doctorow
The antennas are short, the hind legs large and strong, giving them their jumping power.
Great Hike|Alan Douglas

Instantly Exman lunged toward him, antennas sparking fiercely and wheels smoking.
Tom Swift and The Visitor from Planet X|Victor Appleton
You must be very careful in packing those butterfly cases; the slightest jar might break wings and antennas, you know.
Famous Modern Ghost Stories|Various
No flagpoles rose aloft, up which antennas wires could be hoisted in the guise of halyards.
The Secret Wireless|Lewis E. Theiss

British Dictionary definitions for antennas

antenna

/ (ænˈtɛnə) /

noun

plural -nae (-naɪ) one of a pair of mobile appendages on the heads of insects, crustaceans, etc, that are often whiplike and respond to touch and taste but may be specialized for swimming or attachment

plural -nas another name for aerial (def. 7)

Derived Formsantennal or antennary, adjective

Word Origin for antenna

C17: from Latin: sail yard, of obscure origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for antennas

antennas

nativized plural of antenna; see -ae.

antenna

1640s, "feeler or horn of an insect," from Latin antenna "sail yard," the long yard that sticks up on some sails, of unknown origin, perhaps from PIE root *temp- "to stretch, extend." In the etymological sense, it is a loan-translation of Aristotle's Greek keraiai "horns" (of insects). Modern use in radio, etc., for "aerial wire" is from 1902. Adjectival forms are antennal (1834), antennary (1836), antennular (1858).

Science definitions for antennas

antenna

[ ăn-tĕn′ə ]

One of a pair of long, slender, segmented appendages on the heads of insects, centipedes, millipedes, and crustaceans. Most antennae are organs of touch, but some are sensitive to odors and other stimuli.

A metallic device for sending or receiving electromagnetic waves, such as radio waves. Some antennas can send waves in or receive waves from all directions; others are designed to work only in a range of directions.