modem

American  

[moh-duhm, -dem] / ˈmoʊ dəm, -dɛm /

noun

• modems
  plural

1. an electronic device that makes possible the transmission of data to or from a computer via telephone or other communication lines.

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verb (used with object)

1. to send or receive (information, data, or the like) via a modem.

modem British  

/ ˈməʊdɛm /

noun

1. computing a device for connecting two computers by a telephone line, consisting of a modulator that converts computer signals into audio signals and a corresponding demodulator

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modem Scientific  

/ mō′dəm /

1. A device for transmitting and receiving digital data over telephone wires. Modems send data by converting it into audio signals and receive it by converting audio signals back into digital form. The speed at which modems transmit data is measured in bps (bits per second).

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modem Cultural  

1. A device that links a personal computer to a telephone line, so that the computer can receive information from other computers.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• modems
  plural

Etymology

Origin of modem

mo(dulator) - dem(odulator)

Explanation

Simply put, a modem is an electronic device that changes a digital computer signal to audio so it can be carried on telephone lines. It also changes an incoming signal back so it can be read on the computer. Although a form of modem was used as early as 1940 to connect teletype machines to telephones, the word appeared with growing use in 1958, taken from its function as a "modulator" and "demodulator" of sound signals, changing them from audio to digital and back again. This is critical in computer use. Since its inception, modem speeds, measured in bits per second, or bps, have increased dramatically, from the early 300 bps to scorching speeds of USB wireless modems.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

modem modems

June, now 63, said her home office at the time had a dial-up modem, trading software downloaded from a compact disc and a dodgy internet connection.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 10, 2026

For Comcast customers who lease an Advanced Xfinity Gateway modem, there’s an integrated Wi-Fi motion sensor.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 21, 2026

Apple’s in-house modem production and an expected 8% decline in its smartphone sales in 2026 pose risks to Qualcomm.

From Barron's ● Jan. 9, 2026

Meanwhile, Reitzes said that Qualcomm’s stock multiple has been negatively impacted by concerns over the loss of its modem business with Apple.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 5, 2025

“What did our fathers eat at night in their time, gbo? They ate pure cassava. Garri is for you modem ones. It does not even have the flavor of pure cassava.”

From "Purple Hibiscus" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

But Apple has been weaning itself off Qualcomm, replacing it with its homegrown modems.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 16, 2026

Investors have known about Qualcomm’s most pressing challenge for years: Apple, its top customer, is phasing Qualcomm modems out of iPhones by next fall.

From Barron's ● Mar. 10, 2026

The actual road that led Redick to the Lakers has been lined with coaxial cables, modems and Wi-Fi signals, and is painfully and, at times, beautifully structureless.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 30, 2024

The dial-up modems screamed at anyone who wanted to surf the net, but surfing was more like sitting in the water with some floaties and a pool noodle compared to today’s internet.

From Slate ● Dec. 13, 2023

I was thirty-seven, more efficient than in college, tied to computers and modems and cell phones.

From "Tuesdays with Morrie" by Mitch Albom

Related Words

• disk drive
• hardware
• personal computer
• supercomputer