modem

[ moh-duhm, -dem ]

noun

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

verb (used with object)

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

modem

/ 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

modem

/ 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).

modem

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of modem¹

mo(dulator) - dem(odulator)

Word History and Origins

Origin of modem¹

C20: from mo ( dulator ) dem ( odulator )

Example Sentences

A Cox spokesperson told Ars that James and similar customers can keep their 30Mbps upload speeds if they upgrade to a newer modem.

From Ars Technica

Swarm’s offering uses embedded modems also designed and built by the company – the Swarm Tile, a tiny, low-powered modem that’s designed for maximum compatibility.

From TechCrunch

Our satellite communications link had less bandwidth than my dial-up modem in the 1990s and we were permitted to send text-only emails to friends and family at certain times and in certain locations so as not to risk being detected.

From Nautilus

A single modem as the source of your online connection often isn’t enough to get the power and consistency that you need.

From Popular-Science

Switching to its own chips could enable Apple to introduce faster computers more quickly, help lower its costs, and allow for new features like laptops with cellular modems and multiday battery life.

From Fortune

It seems a paltry acknowledgment of the man who created the modem Congress.

From The Daily Beast

What's more, the 3.1 upgrade finally kills the iPhone's ability to be tethered to computers and used as a modem.

From The Daily Beast

My son has agreed to give his daughter to the Prince of Modem, at which I very sincerely rejoice.

From Project Gutenberg

The modem reader may form his own estimate of the poet's art, and that estimate will probably not be high.

From Project Gutenberg

I published a few book on the Internet and they can be freely downloaded by anyone who has a computer or a modem.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• disk drive
• hardware
• personal computer
• supercomputer