modem

American  

[moh-duhm, -dem] / ˈmoʊ dəm, -dɛm /

noun

1. an electronic device that makes possible the transmission of data to or from a computer via telephone or other communication lines.

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verb (used with object)

1. to send or receive (information, data, or the like) via a modem.

modem British  

/ ˈməʊdɛm /

noun

1. computing a device for connecting two computers by a telephone line, consisting of a modulator that converts computer signals into audio signals and a corresponding demodulator

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modem Scientific  

/ mō′dəm /

1. A device for transmitting and receiving digital data over telephone wires. Modems send data by converting it into audio signals and receive it by converting audio signals back into digital form. The speed at which modems transmit data is measured in bps (bits per second).

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modem Cultural  

1. A device that links a personal computer to a telephone line, so that the computer can receive information from other computers.

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Etymology

Origin of modem

mo(dulator) - dem(odulator)

Example Sentences

For Comcast customers who lease an Advanced Xfinity Gateway modem, there’s an integrated Wi-Fi motion sensor.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 21, 2026

Designed to keep desktop PCs going briefly after an outage occurs, these extra-chunky power strips can keep a modem running for hours.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 1, 2026

The chip maker produces modem systems for iPhones, and Apple is now producing its own modems, with more advanced systems potentially on the way.

From Barron's • Jan. 9, 2026

Mizuho estimates $3 billion of Qualcomm’s $8.8 billion fiscal 2025 business with Apple is at risk due to modem share loss.

From Barron's • Jan. 9, 2026

“What did our fathers eat at night in their time, gbo? They ate pure cassava. Garri is for you modem ones. It does not even have the flavor of pure cassava.”

From "Purple Hibiscus" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Related Words

• disk drive
• hardware
• personal computer
• supercomputer