antenna

noun

an·​ten·​na an-ˈte-nə How to pronounce antenna (audio)
plural antennae an-ˈte-(ˌ)nē How to pronounce antenna (audio) or antennas
1
plural antennae : one of a pair of slender, movable, segmented sensory organs on the head of insects, myriapods, and crustaceans see insect illustration
2
: a usually metallic device (such as a rod or wire) for radiating or receiving radio waves
a TV antenna
3
antennae plural : a special sensitivity or receptiveness
… his political antennae proved to be shrewder than ever.Erich Segal
antennal adjective

Did you know?

The Latin word antenna meant “sail yard,” which is the long spar that supports and spreads the sail on a sailing vessel. The Greek word for a sail yard was keraia, but that was only one meaning of this word. The primary meaning was “horn.” The philosopher Aristotle used keraiai to describe the feelers of insects, probably because of their resemblance to the horns of some larger animals. In a Latin translation of Aristotle’s work made during the Renaissance, the word antennae was used for Greek keraiai. In English we still use antennae for insects’ feelers. And now we also use antenna for the metal rods that pick up radio waves and seem to “feel the air” like the antennae of an insect.

Examples of antenna in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Join 5 others in the comments View Comments The fact that Odysseus came to a rest on its side left a couple of its antennas pointed in an inopportune direction. Jackie Wattles, CNN, 28 Feb. 2024 According to mission representatives, the resulting position blocked a number of Odie’s antennas, and angled solar panels in a way that limited their ability to draw power. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 28 Feb. 2024 Thankfully, the antenna withstood the aggressive winds Sacramento experienced during last weekend’s storm. Jacqueline Pinedo, Sacramento Bee, 11 Feb. 2024 The purple eyes of the Ravens logo on car windows have disappeared along with the purple pennants on automobile antennas. Mike Preston, Baltimore Sun, 31 Jan. 2024 How to watch the Bucks games on WMLW: Anyone with a TV antenna in the Milwaukee area can tune into these 10 Bucks games for free even without a cable subscription. Drew Dawson, Journal Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2024 More sophisticated beamforming can involve sending the same signals from multiple antennas so that the signal’s reinforce each other, a bit like when sound waves harmonize. IEEE Spectrum, 29 Jan. 2024 In the device, spin waves are generated by an antenna, constructed directly on the insulating substrate. IEEE Spectrum, 17 Feb. 2024 For the majority of fans who are watching it traditionally, CBS is available via an antenna for free or through a cable, satellite or live TV streaming services like Hulu + Live TV or DirecTV Stream. Jordan Valinsky, CNN, 9 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'antenna.' 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

Medieval Latin, from Latin, sail yard

First Known Use

1698, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of antenna was in 1698

Dictionary Entries Near antenna

Cite this Entry

“Antenna.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antenna. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

antenna

noun
an·​ten·​na an-ˈten-ə How to pronounce antenna (audio)
plural antennae -ˈten-(ˌ)ē How to pronounce antenna (audio) or antennas
1
plural usually antennae : one of a pair of slender movable organs of sensation on the head of an arthropod (as an insect or a crab) that are made up of segments
2
plural usually antennas : a device (as a rod or wire) for sending or receiving radio waves

More from Merriam-Webster on antenna

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!