radio

¹

[ rey-dee-oh ]

noun

, plural ra·di·os.

1. wireless telegraphy or telephony:

   speeches broadcast by radio.

2. an apparatus for receiving or transmitting radio broadcasts.
3. a message transmitted by radio.

adjective

1. pertaining to, used in, or sent by radio.
2. pertaining to or employing radiations, as of electrical energy.

verb (used with object)

, ra·di·oed, ra·di·o·ing.

1. to transmit (a message, music, etc.) by radio.
2. to send a message to (a person) by radio.

verb (used without object)

, ra·di·oed, ra·di·o·ing.

1. to transmit a message, music, etc., by radio.

radio-

²

1. a combining form with the meanings “dealing with radiant energy” ( radiometer ), “employing or dealing with radio waves” ( radioacoustics; radiolocation; radiotelephone ), “emitting rays as a result of the breakup of atomic nuclei” ( radioactive; radiocarbon ), “characterized by, employing or dealing with such rays” ( radiography; radiopaque; radiotherapy ).

radio-

¹

combining_form

1. denoting radio, broadcasting, or radio frequency

   radiogram

2. indicating radioactivity or radiation

   radiolucent

   radiochemistry

3. indicating a radioactive isotope or substance

   radioactinium

   radioelement

   radiothorium

radio

²

/ ˈreɪdɪəʊ /

noun

1. the use of electromagnetic waves, lying in the radio-frequency range, for broadcasting, two-way communications, etc
2. Also called (esp Brit)wireless an electronic device designed to receive, demodulate, and amplify radio signals from sound broadcasting stations, etc
3. a similar device permitting both transmission and reception of radio signals for two-way communications
4. the broadcasting, content, etc, of sound radio programmes

   he thinks radio is poor these days

5. 1. the occupation or profession concerned with any aspect of the broadcasting of sound radio programmes

      he's in radio

   2. modifier relating to, produced for, or transmitted by sound radio

      radio drama

6. short for radiotelegraph radiotelegraphy radiotelephone
7. modifier
   1. of, relating to, employed in, or sent by radio signals

      a radio station

   2. of, concerned with, using, or operated by radio frequencies

      radio spectrum

8. modifier (of a motor vehicle) equipped with a radio for communication

   radio car

verb

1. to transmit (a message) to (a person, radio station, etc) by means of radio waves

radio

/ rā′dē-ō /

Noun

1. The equipment used to generate, alter, transmit, and receive radio waves so that they carry information.

Adjective

1. Relating to or involving the emission of radio waves.

Other Words From

• pre·radi·o adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of radio¹

1910–15; shortening of radiotelegraph or radiotelegraphy

Origin of radio²

< French, combining form representing Latin radius beam, ray, radius

Word History and Origins

Origin of radio¹

from French, from Latin radius ray; see radius

Origin of radio²

C20: short for radiotelegraphy

Example Sentences

Last year, another Radio 2 presenter, Vernon Kay, raised more than £5m for Children in Need after completing his ultra-marathon.

From BBC

"We are a different team and we have evolved a huge amount in the last 12 months," George told BBC Radio 5 Live.

From BBC

During a BBC radio phone-in, Labour's Eluned Morgan said: "There were a hell of a lot of black people and Latinos who voted for him in the election."

From BBC

Speaking on Radio 5 Live on Thursday, Morgan said the UK had to "keep as good a relationship with the United States as we can".

From BBC

The TV personality and BBC Radio 2 presenter is taking part in a five-day ultra-endurance challenge where he is cycling 300 miles from Wrexham in Wales to the finish line in Glasgow.

From BBC

Related Words

• transmission
• wireless