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: a wireless standard (as for mobile devices) that was designed to be capable of supporting data transfer for complex home networks and Internet-enabled appliances
Apple Inc. and Qualcomm Inc.'s surprise settlement agreement Tuesday … puts Apple on a faster path to 5G for the iPhone.Therese Poletti
sometimes used before another noun
a 5G network
compare 4g

Word History

Etymology

abbreviation of fifth generation

First Known Use

2010, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of 5G was in 2010

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Cite this Entry

“5G.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/5G. Accessed 26 Nov. 2025.

Last Updated: - Definition revised
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