television

noun

tele·​vi·​sion ˈte-lə-ˌvi-zhən How to pronounce television (audio)
 especially British  ˌte-lə-ˈvi-
often attributive
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
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

Examples of television in a Sentence

people who turn on the television the minute they walk in the door
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.
The television adaptation hails from BAFTA-winning writer, Andrea Gibb (Elizabeth is Missing). Denise Petski, Deadline, 3 Mar. 2025 The veteran actor has spent his entire career taking on challenging, thought-provoking roles on stage, on television, and on the big screen. Chris Perugini, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025 In a moment from the 2025 Oscars that didn't air on television but occurred during a commercial break, the Best Actor nominee saluted the strength of the community and emboldened his peers and fellow attendees to get up for an impromptu dance party. Jessica Wang, EW.com, 3 Mar. 2025 That's likely part of a broader shift away from television as a preferred news source: Pew Research found in 2024 that around 9 in 10 people under the age of 50 got their news from digital devices at least sometimes, while fewer than half said the same of television. Geoffrey Skelley, ABC News, 3 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for television

Word History

Etymology

French télévision, from télé- tele- + vision vision

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of television was in 1900

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Television.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/television. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

television

noun
tele·​vi·​sion ˈtel-ə-ˌvizh-ən How to pronounce television (audio)
1
: an electronic system of transmitting images with sound over a wire or through space by devices that change light and sound into electrical waves and then change these back into light and sound
2
: a television receiving set
3
: the television broadcasting industry

More from Merriam-Webster on television

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