radio

¹

[ rey-dee-oh ]

noun

plural radios.

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)

radioed, radioing.

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

verb (used without object)

radioed, radioing.

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 Word Forms

• 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

Throughout a long career in radio and television, Martindale was frequently asked how he came by his unusual first name.

From Los Angeles Times

But the satellites are common enough these days that they often zip through the field of view of astronomers' telescopes, and their radio signals interfere with the signals used by those telescopes.

From Salon

Speaking to Atlanta radio station Hot 107.9 last month, he said the album had had a painful gestation.

From BBC

She worked early in her career as a newspaper reporter, journalist with NPR radio in Washington and, later, at ABC News in New York, where she earned an Emmy Award for her reporting.

From Los Angeles Times

This is a different kind of World War II love story, about a hidden jewel and the power of radio waves and the mysterious ways in which human decency can survive even the cruelest circumstances.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• transmission
• wireless