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
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
Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 9 Apr. 2024
Fairphone, the makers of the ultra-repairable Fairphone 5, have launched a new pair of easy-to-repair wireless earbuds.
—Emma Roth, The Verge, 9 Apr. 2024
Yes, this planet is our home, warm and wet and brimming with life, but significant chunks of electromagnetic spectrum are blocked by Earth’s atmosphere, magnetic field and—more recently—the growing cacophony of wireless signals.
—IEEE Spectrum, 8 Apr. 2024
The celestial event itself will have no effect on wireless networks but phone providers are preparing for potential disruptions as massive crowds will hold their cell phones skyward in unison to capture the moment.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN, 8 Apr. 2024
Though Wi-Fi 6 is the modern standard for wireless signal, Wi-Fi 5 is still effective in a pinch (Wi-Fi 6E is on the way).
—PCMAG, 1 Apr. 2024
In March 2023, for instance, the company notified 9 million wireless customers that their customer information had been accessed in a breach of a third-party marketing vendor.
—Chloe Veltman, NPR, 30 Mar. 2024
Gurman reports that Apple is using MagSafe and other wireless technologies to turn on the iPhones.
—Jody Serrano / Gizmodo, Quartz, 29 Mar. 2024
They’re designed to be both standalone wireless speakers and extensions of Samsung TVs and soundbars over Q-Symphony.
—Ryan Waniata, WIRED, 28 Mar. 2024
Dua Rashid / Gizmodo, Quartz, 24 Mar. 2024
The excellent e-reader features the same sharp display and waterproofing found on the standard Paperwhite from 2021 but adds support for Qi wireless charging and an automatic light sensor.
—Sheena Vasani, The Verge, 22 Mar. 2024
In addition to two-device wireless charging, the center console offers a bin for the rear passengers’ use.
—Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 19 Mar. 2024
For the past several years, nearly every device that offers wireless charging has relied on the Qi wireless charging standard.
—Brandon Widder, The Verge, 29 Feb. 2024
The OnePlus 12 does even better with a 50-watt proprietary wireless charger (and still supporting the Qi wireless charging standard at lower wattages).
—Anshel Sag, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024
Small changes improve convenience, such as the wireless charging pad that sits within a hand’s reach of the driver.
—Laura Burstein, Robb Report, 9 Feb. 2024
SpaceX Further Reading Forget 5G wireless, SpaceX and T-Mobile want to offer Zero-G coverage
The plan for Starlink Direct to Cell is different thanks to a lot of foundational improvements over what's currently available.
—Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica, 12 Oct. 2023
The wireless, 75 percent board features an adjustable kickstand, for one, along with cylindrical keycaps that give it a quieter, more modern feel than the Q1 Pro.
—Brandon Widder, The Verge, 28 Dec. 2023
Adjective
Moving the shifter to the steering column opened up more space in the center console for storage, cupholders, wireless charging and a power and volume dial for audio.
—Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 9 Apr. 2024
Fairphone, the makers of the ultra-repairable Fairphone 5, have launched a new pair of easy-to-repair wireless earbuds.
—Emma Roth, The Verge, 9 Apr. 2024
Yes, this planet is our home, warm and wet and brimming with life, but significant chunks of electromagnetic spectrum are blocked by Earth’s atmosphere, magnetic field and—more recently—the growing cacophony of wireless signals.
—IEEE Spectrum, 8 Apr. 2024
The celestial event itself will have no effect on wireless networks but phone providers are preparing for potential disruptions as massive crowds will hold their cell phones skyward in unison to capture the moment.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN, 8 Apr. 2024
Though Wi-Fi 6 is the modern standard for wireless signal, Wi-Fi 5 is still effective in a pinch (Wi-Fi 6E is on the way).
—PCMAG, 1 Apr. 2024
In March 2023, for instance, the company notified 9 million wireless customers that their customer information had been accessed in a breach of a third-party marketing vendor.
—Chloe Veltman, NPR, 30 Mar. 2024
Gurman reports that Apple is using MagSafe and other wireless technologies to turn on the iPhones.
—Jody Serrano / Gizmodo, Quartz, 29 Mar. 2024
They’re designed to be both standalone wireless speakers and extensions of Samsung TVs and soundbars over Q-Symphony.
—Ryan Waniata, WIRED, 28 Mar. 2024
Noun
Features like water and dust resistance, noise cancelation, multi-point connectivity, wireless charging, and mono-listening are also expected on most midrange to high-end buds these days.
—Dua Rashid / Gizmodo, Quartz, 24 Mar. 2024
The excellent e-reader features the same sharp display and waterproofing found on the standard Paperwhite from 2021 but adds support for Qi wireless charging and an automatic light sensor.
—Sheena Vasani, The Verge, 22 Mar. 2024
In addition to two-device wireless charging, the center console offers a bin for the rear passengers’ use.
—Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 19 Mar. 2024
For the past several years, nearly every device that offers wireless charging has relied on the Qi wireless charging standard.
—Brandon Widder, The Verge, 29 Feb. 2024
The OnePlus 12 does even better with a 50-watt proprietary wireless charger (and still supporting the Qi wireless charging standard at lower wattages).
—Anshel Sag, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024
Small changes improve convenience, such as the wireless charging pad that sits within a hand’s reach of the driver.
—Laura Burstein, Robb Report, 9 Feb. 2024
SpaceX Further Reading Forget 5G wireless, SpaceX and T-Mobile want to offer Zero-G coverage
The plan for Starlink Direct to Cell is different thanks to a lot of foundational improvements over what's currently available.
—Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica, 12 Oct. 2023
The wireless, 75 percent board features an adjustable kickstand, for one, along with cylindrical keycaps that give it a quieter, more modern feel than the Q1 Pro.
—Brandon Widder, The Verge, 28 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'wireless.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing wireless
Dictionary Entries Near wireless
Cite this Entry
“Wireless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wireless. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
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
wireless
2 of 2 noun1
: communication at a distance involving signals transmitted by radio waves rather than over wires
2
chiefly British
: radio entry 1
More from Merriam-Webster on wireless
Nglish: Translation of wireless for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of wireless for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about wireless
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