radio

1 of 4

adjective

ra·​dio ˈrā-dē-ˌō How to pronounce radio (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or operated by radiant energy
2
: of or relating to electric currents or phenomena (such as electromagnetic radiation) of frequencies between about 3000 hertz and 300 gigahertz
3
a
: of, relating to, or used in radio or a radio set
b
: specializing in radio or associated with the radio industry
c(1)
: transmitted by radio
(2)
: making or participating in radio broadcasts
d
: controlled or directed by radio

radio

2 of 4

noun

plural radios
1
a
: the wireless transmission and reception of electric impulses or signals by means of electromagnetic waves
b
: the use of these waves for the wireless transmission of electric impulses into which sound is converted
2
: a radio message
3
: a radio receiving set
4
a
: a radio transmitting station
b
: a radio broadcasting organization
c
: the radio broadcasting industry
d
: communication by radio

radio

3 of 4

verb

radioed; radioing; radios

transitive verb

1
: to send or communicate by radio
2
: to send a radio message to

intransitive verb

: to send or communicate something by radio

radio-

4 of 4

combining form

see radi-

Examples of radio in a Sentence

Noun The news was sent by radio. I listen to the radio all the time. I heard the news on the radio. There's a problem with the car's radio. The radio was playing very loudly. The pilot's radio wasn't working. Verb The police radioed for backup. The stranded sailors were radioing for help. The pilot radioed in to the control tower. The police radioed a report back to the station. They radioed the Coast Guard for help.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
The first night of two Apollo weekend shows presented by SiriusXM, featured the 36-year-old ripping off songs at a frantic pace — most with just a verse and chorus — satisfying day-one fans with fan-favorite, deep non-radio cuts as well as those only familiar with his No. 1 hits. Gary Gerard Hamilton, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2023 Pence is a 61-year-old former Indiana governor, former member of Congress, an ex-radio host and an evangelical Christian. Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2020 Pence is a 61-year-old former Indiana governor and ex-radio host, an evangelical Christian known for his Midwestern charm and unwavering loyalty to Trump. Anchorage Daily News, 8 Oct. 2020 Pence is a 61-year-old former Indiana governor and ex-radio host, an evangelical Christian known for his folksy charm and unwavering loyalty to Trump. Steve Peoples, Star Tribune, 7 Oct. 2020 The vice president is a 61-year-old former Indiana governor and ex-radio host, an evangelical Christian known for his folksy charm and unwavering loyalty to Trump. The Associated Press, NOLA.com, 7 Oct. 2020
Noun
Allen being put on an ongoing time-out by the country music industry was remarkable after a rise that had seen three of his first four singles reach No. 1 at country radio. Chris Willman, Variety, 16 Mar. 2024 The radio station said an invoice showed it was billed to Jones Fort, his family’s Redding gun store. Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2024 In a recent interview on a local Atlanta radio station, McAfee himself pushed back against the notion of politics playing a role. Charles Bethea, The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2024 The Evo 150 is a full-function device that lets listeners tune in to internet radio or enjoy music-streaming services, and Bluetooth aptX HD enables hi-res playback to and from compatible devices. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 14 Mar. 2024 The radio stations wanted alternative rock like that, with roots. Beverly Bryan, SPIN, 14 Mar. 2024 Meanwhile, a super PAC supporting Mr. Trump has been running targeted ads on Black radio stations in three swing states. Shane Goldmacher, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2024 During a career that spanned more than four decades, Dodson lent his vocal talents to radio stations, commercials, films, TV shows and video games. Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2024 The show also will be heard on iHeartMedia radio stations nationwide and on the iHeartRadio app. Paul Grein, Billboard, 4 Mar. 2024
Verb
Ships in distress had radioed out dits and dahs from the era of the Titanic to the era of Titanic. Saahil Desai, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2024 The controller worked in a dark radar room, radioing commands to pilots and monitoring a screen with moving dots that represented planes flying across the region. Sydney Ember, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2023 The survivors in the boat were able to radio the overhead crew with still-functional equipment after the teams spotted their vessel and covered life raft, per the release. Christina Coulter, Fox News, 23 Oct. 2023 Lamb says Teran zipped up the tent, prompting him to radio for an officer with a pepper-ball gun. Hilary Beaumont, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2023 In the helicopter footage provided by the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ilya is seen pushing his way through the field, while the pilot can be heard radioing down to ground searchers that the boy had been spotted. Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 26 July 2023 The officer shall radio to the officer in charge of Eskenazi Hospital upon arrival. Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 30 Aug. 2023 Then, senior officials would radio the on-ground immigration officers, all of whom are equipped with radios. Paul Bedard, Washington Examiner, 10 May 2023 The officer was conscious and able to radio for help. Kate Morrissey, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 July 2023

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

Noun and Adjective

short for radiotelegraphy

First Known Use

Adjective

1887, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1903, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1913, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of radio was in 1887

Dictionary Entries Near radio

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

radio

1 of 4 noun
ra·​dio ˈrād-ē-ˌō How to pronounce radio (audio)
plural radios
1
: the sending or receiving of signals using electromagnetic waves without a connecting wire
radio includes television and radar
especially : the use of these waves to carry sound that has been changed into electrical energy
2
: a radio receiving set
a transistor radio
3
: the radio broadcasting industry

radio

2 of 4 adjective
1
: of, relating to, or operated by radiant energy especially at radio frequencies
2
: of, relating to, or used in radio or a radio
radio commercials

radio

3 of 4 verb
: to communicate or send a message to by radio

radio-

4 of 4 combining form
1
: radiant energy : radiation
radioactive
2
: radioactive
radiocarbon
Etymology

Noun

a shortened form of radiotelegraphy, literally, "telegraphy by rays"; radio- from French radio- "radial, radiating," from Latin radius "ray, beam, spoke" — related to radiate, radius, ray entry 2

Combining form

derived from Latin radius "ray, beam, spoke"

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