DictionaryAI

television

TEL-i-vizh-uhn/ˈtɛlɪˌvɪʒən/

Pluraltelevisions (some meanings)

6 meanings of television

Practice

  1. 1
    medium (like radio)noununcountable
    A way of sending moving pictures and sound so people far away can watch them.

    Like radio, but with pictures as well as sound.

    The moon landing was shown live on television around the world.

    Before television, families listened to the radio for news.

    UsageSay on television or on TV.

    Note
  2. 2
    machinenouncountable
    A machine with a screen and speakers that you use to watch shows and movies.

    We bought a new television for the living room.

    Turn off the television and come eat dinner.

    UsageSay turn on or turn off the TV.

  3. 3
    what is onnoununcountable
    The shows and programs that are broadcast for people to watch.

    Daytime television is mostly game shows and talk shows.

    She watches too much television on the weekend.

    UsageSay watch television, often shortened to watch TV.

  4. 4
    industrynoununcountable
    The business of making and showing TV shows, thought of as a place to work or a job.

    My cousin wants a job in television after she finishes college.

    He left radio for television because the pay was better.

    SimilarTV

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 5
    noundateduncountable
    The power to see things that are happening far away.
    Note
  2. 6
    verbcolloquial
    To spend time watching television.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of television apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

It comes from tele- plus vision, first seen in 1900. It was probably influenced by the French word télévision.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts