television

play

noun, often attributive tele·vi·sion \ ˈte-lə-ˌvi-zhən , especially British ˌte-lə-ˈ \

Updated on: 11 Sep 2017

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

3 a :the television broadcasting industry

b :television as a medium of communication

See television defined for English-language learners

See television defined for kids

Examples of television in a Sentence

people who turn on the television the minute they walk in the door

Recent Examples of television from the Web

But still: The vast damage from Hurricane/Tropical Storm Harvey is occurring on national television just as the federal flood-insurance program is up for reauthorization.

— ed kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "Harvey Makes the Case for Flood-Insurance Reform. It Also Makes It Politically Impossible.," 29 Aug. 2017
The night after his release, Diosdado Cabello, a senior member of Maduro’s inner circle, released a video on national television.

— rachelle krygier, Washington Post, "A young Venezuelan made his violin an instrument of resistance. The government hit back.," 28 Aug. 2017
These days, the show is regarded as a cultural touchstone, part of a 90s golden age where black sitcoms ruled television.

— yohana desta, HWD, "Martin Lawrence on the 25th Anniversary of Martin: “It’s Impacted the Culture”," 27 Aug. 2017
At the same time, mirrors in the bathrooms are now inset with hidden televisions, and the wireless internet connection is powerful and free, still unusual in 21st-century Europe.

— Condé Nast Traveler, "Ritz Paris," 25 Aug. 2017
With A-list film actors heading to the small screen in droves and some of our favorite television veterans making big comebacks for reboots, networks and streaming services are paying top dollar.

— courtney campbell, Country Living, "Here's How Much Your Favorite Television Actors and Hosts Really Make," 25 Aug. 2017
There were even nighttime drills where people were instructed to turn off the lights and televisions at their homes to deter an imaginary attack by North Korean bombers.

— kim tong-hyung, The Seattle Times, "South Korean civilian drills have turned lax despite threats," 23 Aug. 2017
Between television, Skype and wireless phone chargers, the great prognosticator would find our modern world pleasingly familiar.

— ryan p. smith, Smithsonian, "Remembering Sci-Fi Pioneer Hugo Gernsback," 18 Aug. 2017
The television station says police have surrounded a bar called Rey de Istanbul.

— Bloomberg.com, "URGENT: The Latest: Suspects ID'd as Moroccan, Spanish Nationals," 17 Aug. 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of television

French télévision, from télé- tele- + vision vision

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1900

See Words from the same year

television Synonyms

Synonyms

boob tube, box, idiot box, telly [chiefly British], tube, TV

Related Words

LCD, plasma; home theater, home video

Other Broadcasting Terms

continuity, dissolve, fade, feed, remote, residual, spike, wipe

TELEVISION Defined for English Language Learners

television

play

noun

Definition of television for English Language Learners

: 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

TELEVISION Defined for Kids

television

play

noun tele·vi·sion \ ˈte-lə-ˌvi-zhən \

Definition of television for Students

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