wireless

American  

[wahyuhr-lis] / ˈwaɪər lɪs /

adjective

1. having no wire.

2. noting or pertaining to any of various devices that are operated with or actuated by electromagnetic waves.

3. Chiefly British. radio.

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noun

1. wireless telegraphy or telephony.

2. a wireless telegraph or telephone, or the like.

3. any system or device, as a cell phone, for transmitting messages or signals by electromagnetic waves.

4. a wireless message.

5. Chiefly British. radio.

verb (used with or without object)

1. to telegraph or telephone by wireless.

wireless British  

/ ˈwaɪəlɪs /

adjective

1. communicating without connecting wires or other material contacts

   wireless networks

   wireless internet connection

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noun

1. old-fashioned another word for radio

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• wirelessly
  adverb
• wirelessness
  noun
• prewireless
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of wireless

First recorded in 1890–95; wire + -less

Example Sentences

AST SpaceMobile, valued at $36 billion, has a billion-dollar backlog for its satellite constellation improving wireless service.

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

The broadband market has already been experiencing upheaval as wireless companies — AT&T included — push fixed wireless access, or FWA, a technology that uses spare mobile capacity to provide customers with home internet service.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 3, 2026

Using standard wireless signals and artificial intelligence, they demonstrated a system capable of identifying people with striking accuracy, even if those individuals are not carrying an active device.

From Science Daily • May 23, 2026

Many of these drones are flown using fibre optic cable connections - rather than radio or other wireless signals - making them difficult to intercept with current Israeli electronic counter-measures.

From BBC • May 16, 2026

“We can afford wireless mics that work, cushions for the seats, or maybe a whole new auditorium.”

From "Millionaires for the Month" by Stacey McAnulty