Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

radio

1 American  
[rey-dee-oh] / ˈreɪ diˌoʊ /

noun

plural

radios
  1. wireless telegraphy or telephony.

    speeches broadcast by radio.

  2. an apparatus for receiving or transmitting radio broadcasts.

  3. a message transmitted by radio.


adjective

  1. pertaining to, used in, or sent by radio.

  2. pertaining to or employing radiations, as of electrical energy.

verb (used with object)

radioed, radioing
  1. to transmit (a message, music, etc.) by radio.

  2. to send a message to (a person) by radio.

verb (used without object)

radioed, radioing
  1. to transmit a message, music, etc., by radio.

radio- 2 American  
  1. a combining form with the meanings “dealing with radiant energy” (radiometer ), “employing or dealing with radio waves” (radioacoustics; radiolocation; radiotelephone ), “emitting rays as a result of the breakup of atomic nuclei” (radioactive; radiocarbon ), “characterized by, employing or dealing with such rays” (radiography; radiopaque; radiotherapy ).


radio 1 British  
/ ˈreɪdɪəʊ /

noun

  1. the use of electromagnetic waves, lying in the radio-frequency range, for broadcasting, two-way communications, etc

  2. Also called (esp Brit): wireless.  an electronic device designed to receive, demodulate, and amplify radio signals from sound broadcasting stations, etc

  3. a similar device permitting both transmission and reception of radio signals for two-way communications

  4. the broadcasting, content, etc, of sound radio programmes

    he thinks radio is poor these days

    1. the occupation or profession concerned with any aspect of the broadcasting of sound radio programmes

      he's in radio

    2. (modifier) relating to, produced for, or transmitted by sound radio

      radio drama

  5. short for radiotelegraph radiotelegraphy radiotelephone

  6. (modifier)

    1. of, relating to, employed in, or sent by radio signals

      a radio station

    2. of, concerned with, using, or operated by radio frequencies

      radio spectrum

  7. (modifier) (of a motor vehicle) equipped with a radio for communication

    radio car

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to transmit (a message) to (a person, radio station, etc) by means of radio waves

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
radio- 2 British  

combining form

  1. denoting radio, broadcasting, or radio frequency

    radiogram

  2. indicating radioactivity or radiation

    radiochemistry

    radiolucent

  3. indicating a radioactive isotope or substance

    radioactinium

    radiothorium

    radioelement

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

radio Scientific  
/ rādē-ō /
  1. The equipment used to generate, alter, transmit, and receive radio waves so that they carry information.


  1. Relating to or involving the emission of radio waves.

Other Word Forms

  • preradio adjective

Etymology

Origin of radio1

1910–15; shortening of radiotelegraph or radiotelegraphy

Origin of radio-2

< French, combining form representing Latin radius beam, ray, radius

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.

Rushing into a nearby demo studio, Sedaka cut a version that was ready for radio, but RCA refused to release it, on the grounds that it only released records made in its studios.

From Los Angeles Times

Growing up as the proud daughter of Lucy Bonilla, one of Guatemala’s most charming radio broadcasters, Moreno starred alongside her mother and sisters in a series of cheeky Salvadoran seasoning commercials.

From Los Angeles Times

I’ve gone from broadcasting a daily radio show, writing a weekly column, flying to deliver at least one lecture a week, and taking at least one listener cruise a year to a bedridden life.

From The Wall Street Journal

"They took away valuables -- my radio, my phone, and forty head of livestock" from the village, he said, not daring to name those responsible.

From Barron's

According to multiple police sources and the police log, panicked officers in and around parliament radio the command centre for help.

From BBC