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

• prewireless
  adjective
• wirelessly
  adverb
• wirelessness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of wireless

First recorded in 1890–95; wire + -less

Example Sentences

That leads to some odd outcomes: Wireless networking stock Ubiquiti, for example, would be ranked as 202nd-largest with its $62 billion market value, but its low free float means it actually comes in 861st.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 3, 2026

Think Mint Mobile or Cricket Wireless, companies that rent cell towers and wireless spectrum at wholesale prices.

From Barron's • Apr. 28, 2026

Earlier this month, the U.K. government barred West from entering the country to headline the Wireless music festival, which was then canceled.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

It comes a week after this summer's Wireless Festival - which West had been scheduled to headline - was cancelled following the UK government's decision to block him from entering the country.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

I stand on the deck with the Wireless Officer looking at the lights of America twinkling.

From "Angela's Ashes: A Memoir" by Frank McCourt