television

noun

tele·​vi·​sion ˈte-lə-ˌvi-zhən 

 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

Synonyms

• boob tube
• box
• idiot box
• telly [chiefly British]
• tube
• TV

Examples of television in a Sentence

people who turn on the television the minute they walk in the door

Recent Examples on the Web

In announcing Beast Games, the series was touted as having the biggest single payout in the history of television and streaming, with 1,000 people competing for $5 million prize. —Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Sep. 2024

As an actor, Souther also appeared in television shows Thirtysomething, Nashville, and Purgatory as well as the films Postcards from the Edge, My Girl 2, and Deadline. —Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2024

Twain has made appearances in television series including Monarch, Broad City and A Man in Full. —Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 18 Sep. 2024

In honor of that, Vogue editors are sharing their favorite fictional fashion shows that have appeared in movies and television shows throughout the years. —Mark Holgate, Vogue, 18 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French télévision, from télé- tele- + vision vision

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing television

• cable television
• community antenna television
• educational television
• on (the) television
• pre-television
• reality TV/television
• satellite television
• television set

Kids Definition

television

noun

tele·​vi·​sion ˈtel-ə-ˌvizh-ən 

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