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.

---

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

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of television

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

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.

Example Sentences

In 2008, Gov. Eliot Spitzer thought he had a deal with James Dolan, the cable television scion whose family controls Madison Square Garden, to relocate the arena so a new Penn could be born.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 13, 2026

But Trump, a former property tycoon and reality television star before his improbable political rise, has always been a different kind of president.

From Barron's • Jun. 12, 2026

Carns, another former soldier, did a couple of television interviews on Thursday night, including one with me, while still a minister, in which he said "my job is to steady the ship".

From BBC • Jun. 12, 2026

With nearly 50 years on the airwaves across syndicated radio, television and film, Cody was honored with a star on the Music City Walk of Fame in the fall of 2024.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026

Keeping my eyes on the scuffed gray paint above the television should soothe my nerves.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller

Related Words

• TV set
• audio
• box
• station
• video