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telecom

American  
[tel-i-kom] / ˈtɛl ɪˌkɒm /

noun

  1. telecommunications.

    The job entails an advanced understanding of telephony, and a graduate degree in telecom is preferred.

    1. a telecommunications company.

      Municipalities have no recourse since telecoms are regulated at the federal level.

    2. the telecommunications industry.

      Sometimes we underestimate how important telecom has become in our lives.


adjective

  1. of or relating to telecommunications.

    A competitive environment will benefit businesses and consumers by lowering the costs and improving the accessibility of telecom services.

telecom British  
/ ˈtɛlɪˌkɒm, ˈtɛlɪˌkɒmz /

noun

  1. (functioning as singular) short for telecommunications

"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

Etymology

Origin of telecom

First recorded in 1950–55; by shortening

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.

The timing is also subject to telecom regulators’ approval.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

Starlink and rival upstart Amazon Leo aim to disrupt the market by launching telecom satellite networks.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

Increasingly, telecom is coming for their cable broadband customers, too, with faster fiberoptic service.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

Find insight on Sovato, Broadcom, Arm Holdings and more in the latest Market Talks covering technology, media and telecom.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

IOI owned hundreds of regional telecom companies, effectively making them the largest Internet service provider in the world.

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline