wireless

1 of 2

adjective

wire·​less ˈwī(-ə)r-ləs 

1

: having no wire or wires

specifically : operating by means of transmitted electromagnetic waves

a wireless remote

2

a

: of or relating to radiotelephony, radiotelegraph, or radio

a wireless phone

b

: of or relating to data communications using radio waves

wireless Internet access

wirelessly adverb

wireless

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: telecommunication (such as wireless telegraphy or radiotelephony) involving signals transmitted by radio waves rather than over wires

also : the technology used in radio telecommunication

b

: access to a wireless Internet network

a coffee shop with excellent wireless

2

chiefly British : radio

Examples of wireless in a Sentence

Adjective

The video game console comes with wireless controllers.

The café offers free wireless Internet access.

Noun

She listened to the wireless every Monday night.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The company acquired wireless spectrum licenses from EchoStar last year and recently purchased a portfolio of low-band spectrum licenses that could allow Starlink Mobile’s signal to penetrate buildings. — Emma Roth, The Verge, 2 Nov. 2026

To further Starlink's efforts to build out its ground infrastructure for a wireless network. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 2 Nov. 2026

Noun

Many in the brand support LDAC for high-resolution wireless audio, but the MR3 is limited to SBC, not even reaching AAC, resulting in flatter audio performance over Bluetooth. — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 30 Oct. 2026

The new Mini also features Apple’s N1 wireless networking chip, which adds support for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. — Sheena Vasani, The Verge, 28 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1894, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1899, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing wireless

• wireless hotspots
• wireless provider
• wireless telegraphy
• wireless telephone

Kids Definition

wireless

1 of 2 adjective

wire·​less ˈwī(ə)r-ləs 

1

: having no wire or wires

2

: of or relating to radio communications

a wireless phone

3

: of or relating to data communications using radio waves

a wireless Internet connection

wirelessly adverb

wireless

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: communication at a distance involving signals transmitted by radio waves rather than over wires

b

: access to a wireless Internet network

2

chiefly British : radio entry 1