antenna

[ an-ten-uh ]

noun

, plural an·ten·nas an·ten·nae [an-, ten, -ee]

1. a conductor by which electromagnetic waves are sent out or received, consisting commonly of a wire or set of wires; aerial.
2. Zoology. one of the jointed, movable, sensory appendages occurring in pairs on the heads of insects and most other arthropods.

antenna

/ ænˈtɛnə /

noun

1. -nae-naɪ one of a pair of mobile appendages on the heads of insects, crustaceans, etc, that are often whiplike and respond to touch and taste but may be specialized for swimming or attachment
2. -nas another name for aerial

antenna

/ ăn-tĕn′ə /

1. One of a pair of long, slender, segmented appendages on the heads of insects, centipedes, millipedes, and crustaceans. Most antennae are organs of touch, but some are sensitive to odors and other stimuli.
2. A metallic device for sending or receiving electromagnetic waves, such as radio waves. Some antennas can send waves in or receive waves from all directions; others are designed to work only in a range of directions.

Derived Forms

• anˈtennal, adjective

Other Words From

• an·tennal adjective
• postan·tennal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of antenna¹

1640–50; < Latin: a sailyard

Word History and Origins

Origin of antenna¹

C17: from Latin: sail yard, of obscure origin

Example Sentences

"The metallic tip acts like an antenna and focusses the electromagnetic field in a tiny area below its apex."

From Science Daily

Her only functioning device was a battery powered antenna radio that she said was decades-old.

From BBC

But he decided to have surgery in 2004 which changed his life - and his senses - attaching an antennae to the back of his head, which transforms light waves into sounds.

From BBC

Aside from the UK being very different under each of their tenures, Sir Tony and Sir Keir have very different political antennae and life experiences.

From BBC

The deal announced Tuesday is the latest by a major league sports team to put local telecasts on a free over-the-air channel that consumers can watch with a TV antenna.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• receiver
• wire

What Is The Plural Of Antenna?

Plural word for antenna

The plural form of antenna can be either antennas or antennae, pronounced [ an-ten-ee ], depending on the meaning of the term. When used in the sense of “a conductor by which electromagnetic waves are sent out or received,” the correct plural form is antennas. When used to describe the sensory appendages of organisms in the field of zoology, the correct plural form is antennae. 

The plural form of several other singular words ending in -a are also formed in this way, as in camera/cameras, pajama/pajamas, and pizza/pizzas. Irregular nouns whose plurals are formed like antennae, such as larva/larvae and fauna/faunae, derive directly from their original pluralization in Latin.