television

American  

[tel-uh-vizh-uhn] / ˈtɛl əˌvɪʒ ən /

noun

1. 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.

2. the process or product involved.

   to watch television.

3. an electronic device or set for receiving television broadcasts or similar programming.

4. the field of television broadcasting, or similar transmission of programming.

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television British  

/ ˈtɛlɪˌvɪʒən /

noun

1. 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

2. 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

3. the content, etc, of television programmes

4. the occupation or profession concerned with any aspect of the broadcasting of television programmes

   he's in television

5. (modifier) of, relating to, or used in the transmission or reception of video and audio UHF or VHF radio signals

   a television transmitter

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Other Word Forms

• pretelevision adjective
• televisional adjective
• televisionally adverb
• televisionary adjective

Etymology

Origin of television

First recorded in 1905–10; tele- ¹ + vision

Example Sentences

Government subsidies and rising public attention—fueled by robot sport games and television performances—have encouraged early adoption and helped Chinese firms secure financing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

PetTV is available to paid subscribers of Tencent Video, which said its market research found that 66 per cent of dog owners leave the television on for their pets when they are out.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Macron said that the former game show host needs to be “serious” and avoid the urge to talk to television cameras.

From Salon • Apr. 2, 2026

“Big Mistakes” is also a big window into Levy’s own evolving sensibilities as a creator and performer, and what finally drew him back to series television.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

From what she’d seen on television, guilty people usually started off claiming to be innocent.

From "City Spies" by James Ponti

Related Words

• TV set
• audio
• box
• station
• video