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Meaning & use

television

noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈtelɪvɪʒn/
US/ˈteləvɪʒn/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    A device that receives broadcast signals and shows moving images with sound.

    Grammar: Countable when referring to the physical set: a television, two televisions.

    Patterns

    • a television
    • on television
    • watch television

    We bought a new television for the living room.

    He turned on the television to watch the news.

    The television is broken, so we need to repair it.

  2. noununcountable

    The system or medium of broadcasting programs with moving images and sound.

    Grammar: Uncountable when referring to the medium or industry: on television, in television.

    Patterns

    • on television
    • watch television
    • television industry

    She works in television as a producer.

    The interview will be shown on television tonight.

    Television has changed how people get their news.

  3. noununcountable

    The programs broadcast in this way, considered as a form of entertainment or information.

    Grammar: Uncountable when talking about what is shown: watch television, television is boring.

    Patterns

    • watch television
    • on television
    • television program

    There is nothing good on television tonight.

    Children should not watch too much television.

    Television can be educational as well as entertaining.

Word forms

pluraltelevisions

Common combinations

watch television
They watch television after dinner.
on television
The concert will be shown on television.
television show
Her favorite television show starts at eight.
television industry
He has worked in the television industry for years.
cable television
They subscribe to cable television.

Synonyms and how they differ

TV
Informal abbreviation of television, very common in everyday speech.
telly
British informal word for television; not used in American English.
the tube
Old-fashioned slang for television, especially in American English.

Word family

televise verb
To broadcast something on television.
televised adjective
Shown on television.

Commonly confused: television or telephone?

television vs telephone

A device for voice communication; television is for watching programs.

Practice

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