modem

American  

[moh-duhm, -dem] / ˈmoʊ dəm, -dɛm /

noun

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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Etymology

Origin of modem

mo(dulator) - dem(odulator)

Example Sentences

The iPhone 17e features a cellular modem made by Apple, the C1X, which the company says is twice as fast as the C1 modem in the iPhone 16e.

From Barron's • Mar. 2, 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

Designed to keep desktop PCs going briefly after an outage occurs, these extra-chunky power strips can keep a modem running for hours.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 1, 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

But now there is a real building, a strange, modem building, circular in shape.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood

Related Words

• disk drive
• hardware
• personal computer
• supercomputer