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

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

With Qualcomm specifically, investors have also worried that the company was losing business with modem customers Apple and Samsung Electronics.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 27, 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

Mizuho estimated that Apple accounted for $8.8 billion worth of business for Qualcomm in fiscal 2025, and the loss of modem share could put roughly $3 billion at risk.

From Barron's • Jan. 9, 2026

The modem army, smaller and increasingly high-tech, was getting quite choosy about its recruits.

From "Geeks: How Two Lost Boys Rode the Internet Out of Idaho" by Jon Katz

Related Words

• disk drive
• hardware
• personal computer
• supercomputer