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

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

Dad rocker Phil Collins and reformed Britpop princes Oasis led the 2026 class of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees who were announced on live US television on Monday.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

Last month, Pérez-Oliva sat down for a rare interview with a U.S. television network to push the case to Cuban-Americans that the island wanted their investment.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

To underscore the point, Schiff cited some sobering data: Last year, 45% of all U.S. films and scripted television shows were shot internationally, up from about 33% in 2022.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

Based on measurements of ballplayers’ dimensions — but not, crucially, the stance individual players take at the plate — ABS makes the television strike zone into the actual one.

From Salon • Apr. 13, 2026

Some will suggest mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, while others will strive to recall episodes of medical television dramas that may or may not be relevant to your case.

From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

• TV set
• audio
• box
• station
• video