English▸ noun
(plural radios)
1 [mass noun] the transmission and reception of electromagnetic waves of radio frequency, especially those carrying sound messages:
cellular phones are linked by radio rather than wires.
2 [mass noun] the activity or industry of broadcasting sound programmes to the public:
she has written much material for radio
[as modifier] a radio station.
▪ radio programmes:
we used to listen to a lot of radio.
▪ [in names] a broadcasting station or channel:
Radio One.
3 an apparatus for receiving radio programmes:
he switched the radio on.
▪ an apparatus capable of both receiving and transmitting radio messages between individuals, ships, planes, etc.:
a ship-to-shore radio.
▸ verb
( radioes, radioing, radioed)
[no object] communicate or send a message by radio: we radioed for help.
▪ [with object] communicate with (a person or place) by radio:
we'll radio Athens right away.
– ORIGIN early 20th century: from radio- in radio-telegraphy and radio-telegram, based on Latin radius ‘ray, beam’.