downlink

1 of 2

noun

down·​link ˈdau̇n-ˌliŋk How to pronounce downlink (audio)
: a communications channel for receiving transmissions from a spacecraft
also : such transmissions

downlink

2 of 2

verb

downlinked; downlinking; downlinks

transitive verb

: to transmit (data) from a spacecraft or satellite to a receiver on earth

Examples of downlink in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
With this, an attacker obtains all downlink traffic (data sent from the router) intended for the target. — ArsTechnica, 26 Feb. 2026 The images pair well with some remarks made by mission specialist Christina Koch during a downlink event with media on Day 2 of the flight. — Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
Because, as Vetter explains, downlinks for the must-have consumer tech of the decade ahead may not be the network’s key crunch point for too much longer. — IEEE Spectrum, 22 Dec. 2025 Those video files will be downlinked for Micro 11’s investigator study. — Joe Pappalardo, Popular Mechanics, 16 July 2018 See All Example Sentences for downlink

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1963, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1977, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of downlink was in 1963

Rhymes for downlink

See All Rhymes for downlink

Browse Nearby Words

downline
downlink
download
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Downlink.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downlink. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on downlink

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about downlink

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