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 Ridley also has been involved in the push for the creation of a state film office and tax credits for film and television production in Wisconsin. Chris Foran, Journal Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2024 The Wall Street Journal reported that Apollo made an $11 billion offer just for Paramount’s film and television studio. Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Mar. 2024 Cuban is one of the main sharks of the ABC reality television series Shark Tank and will exit the show in 2025. Hannah Demissie, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2024 Reality television was her next foray, popping up in episodes of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Celebrity Fit Club, Botched (for a breast reduction), Battle of the Network Stars, and The Bachelor. Kathleen Perricone, EW.com, 20 Mar. 2024 The media, film and television industries should be seasoned pros at dealing with this kind of ugliness. Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024 The company last year settled a similar suit with Fox News for $787 million dollars, and is also suing former Trump attorneys Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell along with the right-wing television station OAN and the pillow businessman Mike Lindell. Patrick Marley, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2024 Donald Trump filed a lawsuit against George Stephanopoulos and ABC News on Tuesday, accusing them of defaming him in a recent television interview. Virginia Chamlee, Peoplemag, 19 Mar. 2024 Underscoring the growing ties between France and Taiwan in the film and television sector, French and Taiwanese producers CinéFrance, Alef One and Yoosonn Entertainment have presented two new series co-productions at Series Mania. Ed Meza, Variety, 21 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'television.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near television

Cite this Entry

“Television.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/television. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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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