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-1

< 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.

They said the plane was broadcasting its military number through the transponder, but the boat targeted in the strike likely lacked the equipment to read the radio signal identifying the plane.

From Salon

Howard said he and his wife had "never listened to so much radio in our lives".

From BBC

The system can be built directly into existing pill capsules and uses a biodegradable radio frequency antenna to send a signal shortly after ingestion.

From Science Daily

They took an omnivorous approach to recording, performing spoken-word jams and a radio play and covering Bruce Springsteen and Christmas standards.

From Los Angeles Times

Ituran Location and Control offers GPS- and radio frequency-based devices that help drivers and companies recover stolen vehicles and track fleets of vehicles.

From MarketWatch