radio

[ rey-dee-oh ]

/ ˈreɪ diˌoʊ /

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See synonyms for: radio / radioed / radioing / radios on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural ra·di·os.

wireless telegraphy or telephony: speeches broadcast by radio.

an apparatus for receiving or transmitting radio broadcasts.

a message transmitted by radio.

adjective

pertaining to, used in, or sent by radio.

pertaining to or employing radiations, as of electrical energy.

verb (used with object), ra·di·oed, ra·di·o·ing.

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

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

verb (used without object), ra·di·oed, ra·di·o·ing.

to transmit a message, music, etc., by radio.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of radio

1910–15; shortening of radiotelegraph or radiotelegraphy

OTHER WORDS FROM radio

pre·ra·di·o, adjective

Words nearby radio

radicular, radiculitis, Radiguet, radii, Radin, radio, radioacoustics, radioactinium, radioactivate, radioactive, radioactive dating

Other definitions for radio (2 of 2)

radio-

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).

Origin of radio-

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use radio in a sentence

Instead, Ford’s will release a radio version of the play in December with Craig Wallace returning as Scrooge.
D.C. theater scene adapts with films, concerts, and more|Patrick Folliard|September 17, 2020|Washington Blade
The blasts of radio waves could come from close to the neutron star’s surface, for example.
Neutrinos could reveal how fast radio bursts are launched|Lisa Grossman|September 16, 2020|Science News
In early September 2017, Rush Limbaugh told the listeners of his popular radio show that hurricanes are “never as strong as they’re reported,” and that tropical storm warnings were part of advancing the “climate change agenda.”
Political rhetoric may impact your hurricane preparedness|Ula Chrobak|September 11, 2020|Popular-Science
While newspapers declined, radio and cable news held relatively steady.
American Fringes: How the Media Makes it Worse|Nick Fouriezos|September 7, 2020|Ozy

Buyers appear to be shifting budget away from linear TV, OOH, radio, direct mail and print to digital channels.
Traditional media suffer as digital ad spend grows in 2020 forecast shows|Greg Sterling|September 2, 2020|Search Engine Land
Charles “Father” Coughlin, a raving anti-Semite, was one of the most popular radio hosts in the country.
Why Was Bess Myerson the First and Last Jewish Miss America?|Emily Shire|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
During coverage of that issue, Farrell went on a WSMB AM radio talk show to defend Duke.
The Louisiana Racists Who Courted Steve Scalise|Jason Berry|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Speaking to a local radio station today Antonella Ramelli said the video gives her hope.
Jihadis Release New Year’s Eve Video of Italian Female Hostages|Jamie Dettmer, Barbie Latza Nadeau|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Yet another video catches the sounds of the gunshots and shows Brinsley standing by the parked radio car.
Exclusive: Inside a Cop-Killer’s Final Hours|Michael Daly|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
However, an article designed to act as a tie-in to the piece has been published as planned in the BBC magazine Radio Times.
Pulled Documentary Says William Felt ‘Used’ by Charles’ Push for Camilla|Tom Sykes|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I am going to get a book about it, and that will tell us just what to do in getting a radio set established.
The Campfire Girls of Roselawn|Margaret Penrose
Jessie had noted down the things she thought it would be safe to order before speaking to her father about the radio matter.
The Campfire Girls of Roselawn|Margaret Penrose
That afternoon Mr. Norwood brought home the radio receiving set in the automobile.
The Campfire Girls of Roselawn|Margaret Penrose
For the next few days Jessie and Amy were busy almost all day long, and evening too, with the radio.
The Campfire Girls of Roselawn|Margaret Penrose
She was scared to death that the lightning would strike the house because of the radio aerial.
The Campfire Girls of Roselawn|Margaret Penrose

British Dictionary definitions for radio (1 of 2)

radio

/ (ˈreɪdɪəʊ) /

noun plural -os

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

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

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

the broadcasting, content, etc, of sound radio programmeshe thinks radio is poor these days

the occupation or profession concerned with any aspect of the broadcasting of sound radio programmeshe's in radio
(modifier) relating to, produced for, or transmitted by sound radioradio drama

short for radiotelegraph, radiotelegraphy, radiotelephone

(modifier)

of, relating to, employed in, or sent by radio signalsa radio station
of, concerned with, using, or operated by radio frequenciesradio spectrum

(modifier) (of a motor vehicle) equipped with a radio for communicationradio car

verb -os, -oing or -oed

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

Word Origin for radio

C20: short for radiotelegraphy

British Dictionary definitions for radio (2 of 2)

radio-

combining form

denoting radio, broadcasting, or radio frequencyradiogram

indicating radioactivity or radiationradiochemistry; radiolucent

indicating a radioactive isotope or substanceradioactinium; radiothorium; radioelement

Word Origin for radio-

from French, from Latin radius ray; see radius

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

Scientific definitions for radio

radio

[ rā′dē-ō ]

Noun

The equipment used to generate, alter, transmit, and receive radio waves so that they carry information.

Adjective

Relating to or involving the emission of radio waves.

radio

Origin of radio

OTHER WORDS FROM radio

Words nearby radio

Other definitions for radio (2 of 2)

Origin of radio-

Words related to radio

How to use radio in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for radio (1 of 2)

Word Origin for radio

British Dictionary definitions for radio (2 of 2)

Word Origin for radio-

Scientific definitions for radio