Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense radios, present participle radioing, past tense, past participle radioed
1. uncountable noun [oft NOUN noun]
Radio is the broadcasting of programmes for the public to listen to, by sending out signals from a transmitter.
The last 12 months have been difficult ones for local radio.
The announcement was broadcast on radio and television.
...Britain's first national commercial radio station.
...BBC Radio 4.
2. singular noun
You can refer to the programmes broadcast by radio stations as the radio.
A lot of people tend to listen to the radio in the mornings.
He's been on the radio a lot recently.
They've been saying on the radio she was missing.
3. countable noun
A radio is the piece of equipment that you use in order to listen to radio programmes.
He sat down in the armchair and turned on the radio.
4. uncountable noun [oft NOUN noun]
Radio is a system of sending sound over a distance by transmitting electrical signals.
They are in twice daily radio contact with the rebel leader.
...radio waves.
5. countable noun
A radio is a piece of equipment that is used for sending and receiving messages.
...the young constable who managed to raise the alarm on his radio.
The radio message was brief.
6. verb
If you radio someone, you send a message to them by radio.
The officer radioed for advice. [VERB adverb/preposition]
A few minutes after take-off, the pilot radioed that a fire had broken out. [VERB that]
radio in British English
(ˈreɪdɪəʊ)
nounWord forms: plural-os
1.
the use of electromagnetic waves, lying in the radio-frequency range, for broadcasting, two-way communications, etc
2. Also called (esp Brit): wireless
an electronic device designed to receive, demodulate, and amplify radio signals from sound broadcasting stations, etc
3.
a similar device permitting both transmission and reception of radio signals for two-way communications
4.
the broadcasting, content, etc, of sound radio programmes
he thinks radio is poor these days
5.
a.
the occupation or profession concerned with any aspect of the broadcasting of sound radio programmes
she's in radio
b. (modifier)
relating to, produced for, or transmitted by sound radio
radio drama
6. short for radiotelegraph, radiotelegraphy, radiotelephone
7. (modifier)
a.
of, relating to, employed in, or sent by radio signals
a radio station
b.
of, concerned with, using, or operated by radio frequencies
radio spectrum
8. (modifier)
(of a motor vehicle) equipped with a radio for communication
radio car
verbWord forms: -os, -oing or -oed
9.
to transmit (a message) to (a person, radio station, etc) by means of radio waves
Word origin
C20: short for radiotelegraphy
radio- in British English
combining form
1.
denoting radio, broadcasting, or radio frequency
radiogram
2.
indicating radioactivity or radiation
radiochemistry
radiolucent
3.
indicating a radioactive isotope or substance
radioactinium
radiothorium
radioelement
Word origin
from French, from Latin radius ray; see radius
radio in American English
(ˈreɪdiˌoʊ)
US
noun
1.
the practice or science of communicating over a distance by converting sounds or signals into electromagnetic waves and transmitting these directly through space, without connecting wires, to a receiving set, which changes them back into sounds, signals, etc.
2. Word forms: pluralˈradiˌos
such a receiving set, esp. one adapted for receiving the waves of the assigned frequencies of certain transmitters or broadcasting stations
3.
a.
broadcasting by radio as an industry, entertainment, art, etc.
b.
all the facilities and related activities of such broadcasting
adjective
4.
of, using, used in, sent by, or operated by radio
5.
having to do with electromagnetic wave frequencies between c. 10 kilohertz and c. 300,000 megahertz
verb transitive, verb intransitiveWord forms: ˈradiˌoed or ˈradiˌoing
6.
to send (a message, etc.) or communicate with (a person) by radio
Word origin
contr. < radiotelegraph
radio- in American English
(ˈreɪdioʊ; ˈreɪdiə)
1.
ray, raylike
2.
by radio
radiotelegraph
3.
by means of radiant energy
radiothermy
4.
radioactive
radiotherapy
Word origin
Fr < L radius, ray: see radius
radio in Hospitality
(reɪdioʊ)
Word forms: (regular plural) radios
noun
(Hospitality (hotel): Hotel room, bedroom)
A radio is the piece of equipment that you use in order to listen to radio programs.
They had a television and radio in the room.
All the rooms have a satellite television and digital radio.
The television in the room has no sound and the radio does not work at all.
radio in Electrical Engineering
(reɪdioʊ)
noun
(Electrical engineering: Communication)
Radio is the use of electromagnetic radiation to communicate electrical signals withoutwires, to create sound broadcasting, television, and radar.
When used in the context of radio, MHz refers to the number of oscillations of electromagnetic radiation per second.
The magnitude of transfer function is called amplitude response or frequency responseespecially in radio applications.
Radio is the use of electromagnetic radiation to communicate electrical signals withoutwires, to create sound broadcasting, television, and radar.
Their aircraft went down while out of radio contact in a remote marsh.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The service will include daily radio news bulletins and digital news in Korean.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Teachers are also being equipped with two-way radios and whistles.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This was the birth of interactive TV and radio programmes.
The Sun (2016)
When you listen on the radio, on the other hand, you are listening with others.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Better spectral efficiency, or radio spectrum use, means more users and services can be supported simultaneously.
Computing (2010)
But society has crept into jails via phones, TV and radio.
The Sun (2016)
The interview tape sounds like a radio presenter filling for time.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
During the match he received two radio calls.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The sector that has suffered the most has been local commercial radio.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The most famous radio broadcast of all time can be heard again tonight.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
We listen in on the radio as the officer asks one of two youths for identification.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
They work to the constant soundtrack of the police radio.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Why no faint radio messages from our distant neighbours in space?
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Which is annoying when you just want to listen to the radio and go home.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Not all sounds used in radio dramas are produced in this way.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
He got lost and used his radio to call for help just before midnight.
The Sun (2011)
It is going out again on commercial radio.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
He recently swallowed four radio batteries to protest against his constant monitoring and prove it did not work.
The Sun (2010)
Maybe the radio will last longer than the play, though film lasts longest.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
All for want of a two-way radio.
The Sun (2008)
But during the crises, local radio proved invaluable in three key respects.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The news of the escape and the threat were picked up on the pilot 's radio.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
He spoke into a two-way radio.
Marsden, Philip The Crossing-Place (1993)
It felt good to be back doing TV and radio reports but it was draining.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
WHERE else would you broadcast a radio show when a heatwave is burning across Britain?
The Sun (2013)
And if instead we receive a radio signal from intelligent life - and such a broadcast might arrive any day - imagine the chaos.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
In other languages
radio
British English: radio /ˈreɪdɪəʊ/ NOUN
Radio is the broadcasting of programmes for the public to listen to.
He started his career working for local radio.
American English: radio
Arabic: راديو
Brazilian Portuguese: rádio
Chinese: 无线电
Croatian: radio
Czech: rádio
Danish: radio
Dutch: radio
European Spanish: radio
Finnish: radio
French: radio à écouter
German: Radio
Greek: ραδιόφωνο
Italian: radio
Japanese: ラジオ
Korean: 라디오
Norwegian: radio
Polish: radio
European Portuguese: rádio
Romanian: radiodifuziune
Russian: радио
Latin American Spanish: radio
Swedish: radio
Thai: วิทยุ
Turkish: radyo
Ukrainian: радіо
Vietnamese: máy phát thanh
All related terms of 'radio'
car radio
a radio built into the dashboard of an automobile
radio cab
a taxi or cab equipped with a radio for communication
radio car
a car equipped with a radio for communication
radio ham
an actor who overacts or relies on stock gestures or mannerisms
radio set
an apparatus that receives radio signals
radio van
a van containing equipment for transmitting and receiving radio signals
clock-radio
a device combining the functions of a radio and alarm clock which can be used to play the radio at a set time
local radio
radio services for a particular area, as opposed to radio aimed at a national audience
radio alarm
an alarm clock which consists of a radio that can be set to play at a particular time
radio beam
a narrow beam of radio signals transmitted by a radio or radar beacon , radio telescope , or some other directional aerial , used for communications , navigation , etc
radio buoy
a buoy equipped to detect underwater noises and transmit them by radio
radio link
a two-way communication link or system using radio
radio mast
a tall upright structure that is used to transmit radio or television signals
radio play
a play written for broadcasting on radio
radio star
a celestial object, such as a supernova remnant or quasar , that is a source of radio waves
radio taxi
a taxi in which the driver is in touch with his or her base by radio
radio valve
any device that shuts off, starts, regulates , or controls the flow of a fluid
radio wave
an electromagnetic wave of radio frequency
steam radio
radio, seen as old-fashioned in comparison with television
talk radio
radio programmes containing topical discussions
access radio
radio programmes made by the general public as distinguished from those made by professional broadcasters
college radio
radio broadcasting from stations affiliated with a college or university
digital radio
Digital radio is radio in which the signals are transmitted in digital form and decoded by the radio receiver.
pirate radio
Pirate radio is the broadcasting of radio programmes illegally.
radio amateur
an actor who overacts or relies on stock gestures or mannerisms
radio beacon
a fixed radio transmitting station that broadcasts a characteristic signal by means of which a vessel or aircraft can determine its bearing or position
radio compass
any navigational device that gives a bearing by determining the direction of incoming radio waves transmitted from a particular radio station or beacon
radio contact
communication or contact by means of radio waves
radio control
remote control by means of radio signals from a transmitter
radio galaxy
a galaxy that is a strong emitter of radio waves
radio message
A message is a piece of information or a request that you send to someone or leave for them when you cannot speak to them directly .
radio silence
the absence , usually deliberately maintained , of radio transmissions
radio source
a celestial object, such as a supernova remnant or quasar , that is a source of radio waves
radio station
an installation consisting of one or more transmitters or receivers , etc, used for radio communications
radio window
a gap in ionospheric reflection that allows radio waves with frequencies in the range 10 000 to 40 000 megahertz to pass from or into space
cellular radio
radio communication based on a network of transmitters each serving a small area known as a cell: used in personal communications systems in which the mobile receiver switches frequencies automatically as it passes from one cell to another
cognitive radio
a radio that can automatically alter frequency, power, modulation , etc, according to where it is located
radio announcer
someone who broadcasts or presents radio programmes
radio astronomy
Radio astronomy is a branch of science in which radio telescopes are used to receive and analyse radio waves from space.
radio audience
The audience for a television or radio programme consists of all the people who watch or listen to it.
radio broadcast
a programme , bulletin , etc, which is broadcast on the radio
radio cassette
a tape for listening to and recording music; an audiotape or cassette
radio engineer
an engineer who designs and repairs equipment used for radio broadcasting
radio frequency
a frequency or band of frequencies that lie in the range 10 kilohertz to 300 000 megahertz and can be used for radio communications and broadcasting
radio interview
An interview is a conversation in which a journalist puts questions to someone such as a famous person or politician.
radio operator
a person who operates or controls a radio transmitter
radio programme
something that is broadcast on radio
radio receiver
an apparatus that receives incoming modulated radio waves and converts them into sound
radio spectrum
the range of electromagnetic frequencies used in radio transmission , lying between 10 kilohertz and 300 000 megahertz
radio telephone
A radio telephone is a telephone which carries sound by sending radio signals rather than by using wires. Radio telephones are often used in cars .