rabbit ears

plural noun

|Updated on: 27 May 2018

Definition of rabbit ears

: an indoor dipole television antenna consisting of two usually extensible rods connected to a base to form a V shape

Recent Examples of rabbit ears from the Web

For about 20 years, the ultrasounds that were part of prenatal care showed a scratchy black-and-white image that looked like an old TV when the rabbit ears fell over and the poltergeist was trying to talk to you.

— petula dvorak, Washington Post, "For a mother-to-be (and the dad, too), the ultimate gender-reveal party," 13 May 2018
There was Legere, for example, holding up two fingers behind Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure’s head like rabbit ears for a photo shoot during their merger tour on Wall Street.

— mark davis, kansascity, "Future Sprint boss John Legere, T-Mobile’s un-CEO: Is that a show or his real self? | The Kansas City Star," 4 May 2018
With one manicured hand on the pint-sized toddler, Lively carried out a plate of goodies and two plush pairs of rabbit ears.

— jenna rennert, Vogue, "Blake Lively and Daughter James Have an Epic Mommy and Me Hair Moment," 2 Apr. 2018
Ticket prices include a free T-shirt, rabbit ears, all-day admission to the zoo, and a postrace party featuring music, food, drinks, and special appearances by the Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders.

— grace dickinson, Philly.com, "Where to celebrate Easter with the family in Philadelphia this year," 22 Mar. 2018
Some caretakers will also amputate their unwieldy rabbit ears, leaving the square, awkward stumps.

— kristin hugo, Newsweek, "Viral Damascus 'Goat Monster' Is a Real Goat — You Should See Him in Baby Form," 21 Mar. 2018
James Corden, Margot Robbie, Rose Byrne, Domhnall Gleeson and more stars walked the green carpet alongside Bini the bunny, where fans donned beige rabbit ears and snapped photos with a giant blow-up carrot.

— lindsay weinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, "James Corden, Rose Byrne Talk 'Peter Rabbit' Adaptation at L.A. Premiere," 5 Feb. 2018
Playboy Bunnies, who'd waitress at Playboy Clubs in now-famous bustier and rabbit ear costumes debuted in 1960, were the subject of a famous undercover exposé by Gloria Steinem in 1963.

— lilian min, Cosmopolitan, "Playboy Founder Hugh Hefner Has Died," 28 Sep. 2017

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