television

noun, often attributive

tele·vi·sion | \ ˈte-lə-ˌvi-zhən

, especially British ˌte-lə-ˈvi- \

Definition of television

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

3a : 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 Example Sentences Learn More about television

Keep scrolling for more

Synonyms for television

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 The arrest unfolded while the governor spoke on live television about the overhaul of state elections. — Jeff Amy, chicagotribune.com, "President Biden calls Georgia’s new voting law ‘Jim Crow in 21st century’," 26 Mar. 2021 Thomas Manglona is a journalist from Rota in the Northern Mariana Islands with experience working in regional and local newsrooms across print, radio, television and digital platforms. — Adriana Gallardo, ProPublica, "Meet ProPublica’s 2021 Diversity Scholarship Recipients," 24 Mar. 2021 Christopher Kimball is the founder of Milk Street, home to a magazine, school, and radio and television shows. — BostonGlobe.com, "Make-ahead recipes for Easter brunch," 24 Mar. 2021 Korean local newspapers, radio and television stations, and whole plazas chock-full of Korean travel agencies, hair salons, and bakeries, so that halmonis can go entire weeks without ever speaking English. — Jennifer Hope Choi, Star Tribune, "Class complications are missing from the bootstrap-lifting immigrant success story," 23 Mar. 2021 Following a commercial break during his Thursday evening show, Sean Hannity appeared on live television with his glasses on and vaping. — Kaelan Deese, Washington Examiner, "Sean Hannity caught vaping following commercial break," 19 Mar. 2021 By that stage, of course, the value of flares as a news source had diminished: radio, television and the internet meant people in San Sebastián did not need to check the sky to know if their team had scored, or conceded. — Rory Smith, New York Times, "The Rocketman of San Sebastián," 18 Mar. 2021 In one instance, a CNN reporter was arrested on live television. — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, "A journalist accused the LAPD of assault. Then police tried to have him prosecuted," 18 Mar. 2021 Her interviews brought viewers closer to the players from that era and provided some of its memorable moments, such as when Tim Lincecum famously let loose an expletive on live television after the Giants clinched the division title in 2010. — Ann Killion, San Francisco Chronicle, "Popular broadcaster Amy Gutierrez hired by Giants after NBC Sports laid her off," 16 Mar. 2021

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

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about television

Dictionary Entries near television

television transmitter

Statistics for television

Last Updated

30 Mar 2021

Cite this Entry

“Television.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/television. Accessed 11 Apr. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for television

television

noun

English Language Learners Definition of television

: an electronic system of sending images and sounds by a wire or through space

: a piece of equipment with a screen that receives images and sounds sent by television

: programs that are broadcast by television

See the full definition for television in the English Language Learners Dictionary

television

noun

tele·vi·sion | \ ˈte-lə-ˌvi-zhən

Kids Definition of television

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

2 : a piece of equipment with a screen and speakers that reproduces images and sound

3 : programs that are broadcast by television

Keep scrolling for more