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

There are monitors, big-screen televisions all over our ballparks that display the feed of the game. —Evan Drellich, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025

As for the Humanitas College Screenwriting Awards, the org hands out two prizes annually to recognize excellent student screen and television writing: The David and Lynn Angell College Comedy Award and The Carol Mendelsohn College Drama Award. —Michael Schneider, Variety, 18 Feb. 2025

JetBlue's inflight experience offers free in-flight wifi and live television. —Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 18 Feb. 2025

In his new role, Capps will oversee DCP’s growing television slate, while expanding the company’s relationships with top-tier partners and studios. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2025

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

Rhymes for television

• cablevision
• circumcision
• imprecision
• indecision
• subdivision
• supervision
• abscission
• collision
• decision
• derision
• division
• elision

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