rectenna

American  

[rek-ten-uh] / ˌrɛkˈtɛn ə /

noun

1. a piece of electrical equipment consisting of an antenna accompanied by a diode to rectify the electromagnetic energy it receives, changing it into direct current: used to enable wireless transmission and to convert solar energy to electricity.

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Etymology

Origin of rectenna

First recorded in 1960–65; rec(tifying) + ant(enna) ( def. )

Example Sentences

But he pointed out that a satellite's beam would always be locked on target; in fact, it would disperse altogether if the satellite did not receive continuous electronic cues from a transmitter in the rectenna.

From Time Magazine Archive