television
Americannoun
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the transmission of programming, in the form of still or moving images, via radio waves, cable wires, satellite, or wireless network to a receiver or other screen.
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the process or product involved.
to watch television.
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an electronic device or set for receiving television broadcasts or similar programming.
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the field of television broadcasting, or similar transmission of programming.
noun
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the system or process of producing on a distant screen a series of transient visible images, usually with an accompanying sound signal. Electrical signals, converted from optical images by a camera tube, are transmitted by UHF or VHF radio waves or by cable and reconverted into optical images by means of a television tube inside a television set
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Also called: television set. a device designed to receive and convert incoming electrical signals into a series of visible images on a screen together with accompanying sound
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the content, etc, of television programmes
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the occupation or profession concerned with any aspect of the broadcasting of television programmes
he's in television
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(modifier) of, relating to, or used in the transmission or reception of video and audio UHF or VHF radio signals
a television transmitter
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of television
Explanation
A television is an electronic device that broadcasts entertaining programs you can watch and listen to. You and your parents might argue over how much television you're allowed to watch on school nights. If you're North American, you probably call a television a TV, while in the UK it's common to use the nickname telly. The word television was first used for the very earliest versions of the TV, around 1900. The word comes from the Greek root tele, "far off," and the Latin visio, "sight." Other names suggested at the time for this brand new technology included telephote and televista.
Vocabulary lists containing television
Frankenwords: Words with Roots from Different Languages
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Journalism
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Media Literacy - Introductory
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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.
Nearly 17 years after the King of Pop’s death, Michael Jackson is dominating the box office, television ratings and headlines.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026
In 2012, he moved to the US from the UK and in 2017, he began a six-year stint hosting a television show on the conservative news network, Fox News.
From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026
Angelenos can spot a phony from far away — and Spencer, you’re turning out to be phonier than the fake drama on any of the television shows you ever appeared in.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026
“There will be all sorts of viewership records being set every day,” predicted Jon Lewis, who analyzes sports television for Sports Media Watch.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 9, 2026
“Hey, it’s a show about that toy!” he said, pointing at the television.
From "The First State of Being" by Erin Entrada Kelly
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
