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 Phrases Containing television Learn More About television

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 Star Trek series spun off the television series that ran from 1966 to 1969 on NBC. — Mike Rose, cleveland, 14 May 2022 Sayedzada, who worked in Afghanistan with television channel Setare-ye Sobh and radio program Zemzemeh, is a single mother of a 13-year-old boy. — Somayeh Malekian, ABC News, 13 May 2022 Ward would later appear in The Right Stuff (1983), Henry & June (1990), Tremors (1990) and its 1996 sequel, and many more films and television series over the course of his career. — Jen Juneau, PEOPLE.com, 13 May 2022 The news of the Netflix special was first reported by Macdonald's sister-in-law, Joyce Napier, the Ottawa bureau chief for the Canadian television channel CTV. — Daniel Arkin, NBC News, 12 May 2022 After several appearances in Polish television series, this is Agnieszka Judycka’s first lead role in a feature film, as the mother. — Denes Varga, Variety, 12 May 2022 His television series Your Brush with Nature, a plein-air painting show, has given him a stage to share his knowledge with artists around the world. — Duante Beddingfield, Detroit Free Press, 11 May 2022 Pretty turned into a television series for Amazon Prime. — Seventeen, 11 May 2022 Because there are so many movies and television series being made now about young people with supernatural powers. — Erik Morse, Vogue, 9 May 2022 See More

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.

Buying Guide

Our Reviews team has selected the best OLED TVs.

Learn More About television

Dictionary Entries Near television

televise

television

television receiver

Statistics for television

Last Updated

17 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Television.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/television. Accessed 25 May. 2022.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

More Definitions for television

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