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

Even as he lay gravely ill in hospital in recent days, Ken Reid was listening to the news on the radio.

From BBC

BBC Radio 2 is also the UK’s most listened to radio station, with a weekly audience of 13.3 million, according to the figures.

From BBC

For more than 20 years Mr. Frommer also wrote a syndicated newspaper travel column and had a weekly syndicated radio show, originating from WOR in New York.

From New York Times

The First Minister Eluned Morgan told a radio phone-in that everyone needed to "calm down until we are clear about how many farms are affected".

From BBC

A theoretical astrophysicist from the University of Kansas may have solved a nearly two-decade-old mystery over the origins of an unusual "zebra" pattern seen in high-frequency radio pulses from the Crab Nebula.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• transmission
• wireless