wireless

[ wahyuhr-lis ]

adjective

1. having no wire.
2. noting or pertaining to any of various devices that are operated with or actuated by electromagnetic waves.
3. Chiefly British. radio.

noun

1. wireless telegraphy or telephony.
2. a wireless telegraph or telephone, or the like.
3. any system or device, as a cell phone, for transmitting messages or signals by electromagnetic waves.
4. a wireless message.
5. Chiefly British. radio.

verb (used with or without object)

1. to telegraph or telephone by wireless.

wireless

/ ˈwaɪəlɪs /

adjective

1. communicating without connecting wires or other material contacts

   wireless networks

   wireless internet connection

noun

1. old-fashioned.
   another word for radio

Derived Forms

• ˈwirelessly, adverb

Other Words From

• wireless·ly adverb
• wireless·ness noun
• pre·wireless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of wireless¹

First recorded in 1890–95; wire + -less

Example Sentences

Sir Arthur changed course of the Carpathia, which was on its way from New York for Europe, after the ship's wireless operator picked up the distress call "we've struck ice, come at once".

From BBC

In the Midlands, Wales and southern England, all meters use wireless cellular technology - similar to mobile phones - to send data to energy providers.

From BBC

The teenagers are just a few years younger than the pilots, navigators, air gunners, and wireless operators whose names and ages are recorded on the headstones.

From BBC

The crew dressed up in various worker outfits, scouted locations ahead of the robberies, forced their way into an adjoining business to a bank and used signal jammers to disable wireless security devices.

From Los Angeles Times

Lithium-ion batteries are widely used in portable electronic devices and electric vehicles, including cellphones, e-bikes, laptops, wireless headphones, scooters, trucks and cars.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• Wi-Fi