wireless

American  

[wahyuhr-lis] / ˈwaɪər lɪs /

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.

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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 British  

/ ˈwaɪəlɪs /

adjective

1. communicating without connecting wires or other material contacts

   wireless networks

   wireless internet connection

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noun

1. old-fashioned another word for radio

Other Word Forms

• prewireless adjective
• wirelessly adverb
• wirelessness noun

Etymology

Origin of wireless

First recorded in 1890–95; wire + -less

Example Sentences

Large infrastructure funds are eyeing the telecommunications and wireless communications infrastructure company, according to the report, which says that SBA is currently evaluating interest from parties and is in discussions with advisors.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Large infrastructure funds are eyeing the telecommunications and wireless communications infrastructure company, according to the report, which says that SBA is currently evaluating interest from parties and is in discussions with advisors.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

The entire array fits on a chip smaller than a millimeter, making it suitable for compact wireless access points and potentially small enough to integrate into devices such as smartphones.

From Science Daily • Apr. 2, 2026

The optical wireless system uses laser sources that are inherently energy efficient and capable of high-speed operation without complex power demands.

From Science Daily • Apr. 2, 2026

Chess dug out a pair of wireless earbuds and held them up for Finn and Emma to see.

From "The Strangers" by Margaret Peterson Haddix