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over-the-air

American  
[oh-ver-thee-air] / ˈoʊ vər ðiˈɛər /

adjective

Radio and Television.
  1. of or relating to any means of broadcast transmission.


Etymology

Origin of over-the-air

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The authority’s approval was significant because Paramount owns CBS News, children’s channel Nickelodeon and Channel 5, one of the largest over-the-air television broadcasters in the United Kingdom.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 6, 2026

But the NFL makes the case that it offers 87% of its games on free over-the-air television than any other major sport.

From Los Angeles Times May 13, 2026

And unlike leagues such as MLB and the NBA, where the majority of games air on cable via regional sports networks, most NFL games are available on free over-the-air channels.

From The Wall Street Journal May 8, 2026

The Model S also introduced several features that would become Tesla staples, including large computer screens, over-the-air software updates and controversial door handles.

From MarketWatch Jan. 29, 2026

Rivian will fix the issue with an over-the-air software update and inspect the parts free of charge.

From Barron's Dec. 3, 2025

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