noun, plural ra·di·os.
- wireless telegraphy or telephony: speeches broadcast by radio.
- an apparatus for receiving or transmitting radio broadcasts.
- a message transmitted by radio.
adjective
- pertaining to, used in, or sent by radio.
- pertaining to or employing radiations, as of electrical energy.
verb (used with object), ra·di·oed, ra·di·o·ing.
- to transmit (a message, music, etc.) by radio.
- to send a message to (a person) by radio.
verb (used without object), ra·di·oed, ra·di·o·ing.
- to transmit a message, music, etc., by radio.
- a combining form with the meanings “dealing with radiant energy” (radiometer), “employing or dealing with radio waves” (radioacoustics; radiolocation; radiotelephone), “emitting rays as a result of the breakup of atomic nuclei” (radioactive; radiocarbon), “characterized by, employing or dealing with such rays” (radiography; radiopaque; radiotherapy).
noun plural -os
- the use of electromagnetic waves, lying in the radio-frequency range, for broadcasting, two-way communications, etc
- Also called (esp Brit): wireless an electronic device designed to receive, demodulate, and amplify radio signals from sound broadcasting stations, etc
- a similar device permitting both transmission and reception of radio signals for two-way communications
- the broadcasting, content, etc, of sound radio programmeshe thinks radio is poor these days
-
- the occupation or profession concerned with any aspect of the broadcasting of sound radio programmeshe’s in radio
- (modifier)relating to, produced for, or transmitted by sound radioradio drama
- short for radiotelegraph, radiotelegraphy, radiotelephone
- (modifier)
- of, relating to, employed in, or sent by radio signalsa radio station
- of, concerned with, using, or operated by radio frequenciesradio spectrum
- (modifier) (of a motor vehicle) equipped with a radio for communicationradio car
verb -os, -oing or -oed
- to transmit (a message) to (a person, radio station, etc) by means of radio waves
combining form
- denoting radio, broadcasting, or radio frequencyradiogram
- indicating radioactivity or radiationradiochemistry; radiolucent
- indicating a radioactive isotope or substanceradioactinium; radiothorium; radioelement
“wireless transmission of voice signals with radio waves,” 1907, abstracted from earlier combinations such as radio-receiver (1903), radiophone (1881), radio-telegraphy (1898), from radio- as a comb. form of Latin radius “beam.” Use for “radio receiver” is first attested 1913; sense of “sound broadcasting as a medium” is from 1913.
It is not a dream, but a probability that the radio will demolish blocs, cut the strings of red tape, actuate the voice “back home,” dismantle politics and entrench the nation’s executive in a position of power unlike that within the grasp of any executive in the world’s history. [“The Reading Eagle,” Reading, Pa., U.S.A., March 16, 1924]
Wireless remained more widespread until World War II, when military preference for radio turned the tables. As an adjective by 1912, “by radio transmission;” meaning “controlled by radio” from 1974. Radio _______ “radio station or service from _______” is recorded from 1920. A radio shack (1946) was a small building housing radio equipment.
1916, from radio (n.). Related: Radioed; radioing.
word-forming element meaning 1. “ray, ray-like” (see radius); 2. “radial, radially” (see radial (adj.)); 3. “by means of radiant energy” (see radiate (v.)); 4. “radioactive” (see radioactive); 5. “by radio” (see radio (n.)).
pref.
- Radiation; radiant energy:radiometer.
- Radioactive:radiochemistry.
- Radius:radiobicipital.
Noun
- The equipment used to generate, alter, transmit, and receive radio waves so that they carry information.
Adjective
- Relating to or involving the emission of radio waves.