television

American  

[tel-uh-vizh-uhn] / ˈtɛl əˌvɪʒ ən /

noun

1. the transmission of programming, in the form of still or moving images, via radio waves, cable wires, satellite, or wireless network to a receiver or other screen.

2. the process or product involved.

   to watch television.

3. an electronic device or set for receiving television broadcasts or similar programming.

4. the field of television broadcasting, or similar transmission of programming.

---

television British  

/ ˈtɛlɪˌvɪʒən /

noun

1. the system or process of producing on a distant screen a series of transient visible images, usually with an accompanying sound signal. Electrical signals, converted from optical images by a camera tube, are transmitted by UHF or VHF radio waves or by cable and reconverted into optical images by means of a television tube inside a television set

2. Also called: television set.  a device designed to receive and convert incoming electrical signals into a series of visible images on a screen together with accompanying sound

3. the content, etc, of television programmes

4. the occupation or profession concerned with any aspect of the broadcasting of television programmes

   he's in television

5. (modifier) of, relating to, or used in the transmission or reception of video and audio UHF or VHF radio signals

   a television transmitter

---

Other Word Forms

• pretelevision adjective
• televisional adjective
• televisionally adverb
• televisionary adjective

Etymology

Origin of television

First recorded in 1905–10; tele- ¹ + vision

Example Sentences

But it’s becoming a delightfully frequent occurrence that Small learns after the fact that her music is featured prominently in a movie or television show.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Macron said that the former game show host needs to be “serious” and avoid the urge to talk to television cameras.

From Salon • Apr. 2, 2026

He expects a muted 1Q with likely modest segment revenue growth across media, pictures music and commerce, while television advertising revenue could decline.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

Rahim Nadali, an official with the Revolutionary Guards in Tehran, said on state television last week that Basij units had been inundated with volunteers.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

At television stations, which normally went off the air overnight, executives considered the radical idea of broadcasting news twenty-four hours a day.

From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin

Related Words

• TV set
• audio
• box
• station
• video