television

noun

tele·​vi·​sion ˈte-lə-ˌvi-zhən 

 especially British  ˌte-lə-ˈvi-

often attributive

1

: an electronic system of transmitting transient images of fixed or moving objects together with sound over a wire or through space by apparatus that converts light and sound into electrical waves and reconverts them into visible light rays and audible sound

2

: a television receiving set

3

a

: the television broadcasting industry

b

: television as a medium of communication

c

: programming distributed over the Internet that is designed to be viewed in the same format as broadcast television

A couple of couch companions watching TV on tablets might not see the same thing any more, even when watching the same shows. Ad personalization—routine for most of the Web—has come to streaming television.

—Donna Howell

The quarter was the 10th anniversary of Netflix's streaming service, which began with the vision that internet television would ultimately replace traditional television.

—Emily Steel

Synonyms

• boob tube
• box
• idiot box
• telly [chiefly British]
• tube
• TV

Examples of television in a Sentence

people who turn on the television the minute they walk in the door

Recent Examples on the Web

During The Town podcast, Sorkin was also asked The West Wing could still work as a television show today. —James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Apr. 2024

Through his life, Henson worked on many iconic television and film productions, including Sesame Street, The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, and The Muppet Movie. —Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2024

Clark, a master showman, was a legend in both music and television. —Paul Grein, Billboard, 26 Apr. 2024

He’s worked on multiple film and television projects over the years, including the Stuart Little movies, The Good Wife, and The Good Fight. —TIME, 26 Apr. 2024

Following their romance during season 1 of The Golden Bachelor, the former couple tied the knot on national television on Jan. 4. —Stephanie Wenger, Peoplemag, 26 Apr. 2024

Programming includes: Building a Television Universe A conversation between showrunners and key below-the-line talent on how to successfully build a universe in the competitive television landscape. —William Earl, Variety, 25 Apr. 2024

She’s also worked in local television news in Charlotte, NC, and Richmond, VA. —Chyna Blackmon, Charlotte Observer, 25 Apr. 2024

On Thursday afternoon, the owner and manager were busy plotting business strategies for the upcoming A’s era as sporting events played out overhead across numerous television screens. —Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French télévision, from télé- tele- + vision vision

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing television

• cable television
• community antenna television
• educational television
• on (the) television
• pre-television
• reality TV/television
• satellite television
• television set

Kids Definition

television

noun

tele·​vi·​sion ˈtel-ə-ˌvizh-ən 

1

: an electronic system of transmitting images with sound over a wire or through space by devices that change light and sound into electrical waves and then change these back into light and sound

2

: a television receiving set

3

: the television broadcasting industry