antenna

noun

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an·ten·na | \ an-ˈte-nə

plural antennae\ an-ˈte-(ˌ)nē

\ or antennas

Definition of antenna

1 plural antennae : one of a pair of slender, movable, segmented sensory organs on the head of insects, myriapods, and crustaceans — see insect illustration

2 : a usually metallic device (such as a rod or wire) for radiating or receiving radio waves a TV antenna

3 antennae plural : a special sensitivity or receptiveness … his political antennae proved to be shrewder than ever.— Erich Segal

Other Words from antenna Did you know? More Example Sentences Phrases Containing antenna Learn More About antenna

Did you know?

The Latin word antenna meant “sail yard,” which is the long spar that supports and spreads the sail on a sailing vessel. The Greek word for a sail yard was keraia, but that was only one meaning of this word. The primary meaning was “horn.” The philosopher Aristotle used keraiai to describe the feelers of insects, probably because of their resemblance to the horns of some larger animals. In a Latin translation of Aristotle’s work made during the Renaissance, the word antennae was used for Greek keraiai. In English we still use antennae for insects’ feelers. And now we also use antenna for the metal rods that pick up radio waves and seem to “feel the air” like the antennae of an insect.

Examples of antenna in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web As such, the engineers are confident that the probe’s antenna is still set in its prescribed orientation with Earth. — Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 19 May 2022 And Voyager’s signal is as strong as ever, meaning the antenna is still pointed to Earth. — Ashley Strickland, CNN, 18 May 2022 The units blend in with just about any modern decor and use the same four-antenna system of the more expensive XE75 for enhanced coverage in all directions. — Anthony Karcz, Forbes, 27 Apr. 2022 The outside antenna of the phone captures the signal from a nearby cell tower, which is connected to the interior components. — Marc Saltzman, USA TODAY, 25 Apr. 2022 With a receiver and antenna, Creak must tread carefully over vegetation, logs and leaf litter. — NBC News, 3 Mar. 2022 After Palimiu village along the Uraricoera River suffered a series of attacks committed by miners in May 2021, the Yanomami managed to install an antenna there. — Fabiano Maisonnave, ajc, 7 May 2022 The robot is equipped with LIDAR, or light detection and ranging, and a 360-degree camera that can detect penguins on vast terrains and uses an antenna to activate and read each penguin's chip. — Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 May 2022 Instead, the missile has a passive radar receiver—an antenna that detects energy from the launching fighter and reflecting off the target. — David Axe, Forbes, 30 Apr. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'antenna.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.