dead air

noun

: a period of silence especially during a broadcast

Examples of dead air in a Sentence

After the commercial, there were a few seconds of dead air before the show continued.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
While similar-sized SUVs might be able to claim more cubic inches of cargo space, a lot of that is dead air above passenger heads that never gets used. Andrew P. Collins, The Drive, 19 Mar. 2026 Hook them in the first seconds, loop the ending back to the beginning, cut every pause, every breath, every moment of dead air, layer in sound effects, memes, anything to earn yourself that extra second. Taylor Reilly, Forbes.com, 15 Jan. 2026 Aside from technical glitches, there was uncomfortably dead air and forced improv. Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2026 The actors aren’t dragging, but there’s still dead air. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dead air

Word History

First Known Use

1921, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dead air was in 1921

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dead air.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dead%20air. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.

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