# cable

/ˈkeɪbəɫ/ (US) · /kˈeɪbəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cable
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. wire for electricity or data

noun · CEFR A2

a set of wires covered in plastic that carries electricity or signals for computers and phones.

For teachers: an insulated wire or fiber optic strand used for the transmission of electricity or electronic signals.

- I need a longer cable to connect my laptop to the monitor.
- The technician replaced the damaged ethernet cable to restore the high-speed connection between the server and the local workstations.

### 2. thick rope

noun · CEFR B1

a very strong, thick rope made of wire or hemp, used for pulling or supporting heavy things.

For teachers: a heavy, strong rope or chain, often made of twisted steel strands, used for structural support or traction.

- The bridge is held up by massive steel cables.
- The ship was secured to the pier with thick mooring cables to prevent it from drifting during the storm.

### 3. television service

noun · CEFR A2

a system of sending television programmes to your house through wires rather than through the air.

For teachers: a system of broadcasting television programming to paying subscribers via coaxial or fiber-optic cables.

- We decided to cancel our cable because we only watch streaming services now.
- The network expanded its reach by signing a new distribution deal with the country's largest cable provider.

### 4. telegram

noun · CEFR C1 · Archaic

an old-fashioned message sent by wire across long distances.

For teachers: a telegram sent by submarine telegraph cable; historically significant in international diplomacy.

- The diplomat sent a secret cable back to his government during the crisis.
- Historians recently declassified a series of diplomatic cables that reveal the tension between the two nations during the 1940s.

### 5. nautical unit

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a unit of distance used by sailors, equal to about 185 metres.

For teachers: a maritime unit of length, traditionally one-tenth of a nautical mile or approximately 100 fathoms.

- The two ships stayed about three cables apart to avoid a collision.
- The navigator noted that the reef was situated approximately five cables to the starboard side of the vessel's current heading.

### 6. currency pair

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Slang

a name used by traders for the exchange rate between the British Pound and the US Dollar.

For teachers: a financial market term for the GBP/USD exchange rate, originating from the transatlantic telegraph cable.

- Traders watched cable closely after the central bank announced the new interest rates.
- Volatility in cable increased significantly following the unexpected economic data released by the UK Treasury this morning.

### 7. to send a message

verb · CEFR C1 · Archaic

to send a message to someone using an old telegraph system.

For teachers: to transmit a message or news via telegraphic cable; predominantly used in historical contexts.

- The captain cabled the news of the discovery to the main office.
- The embassy cabled the foreign ministry immediately after the treaty was signed to confirm the successful negotiation.

### 8. to install wiring

verb · CEFR B2

to put wires into a building or a piece of equipment.

For teachers: to equip a building, room, or device with electrical or data cables.

- The workers are busy cabling the new office for high-speed internet.
- The entire facility was cabled with fiber optics to ensure the infrastructure could handle future bandwidth requirements.

## Examples

- The computer connects to the internet through a thick black cable.
- Workers spent the afternoon laying a new fiber-optic cable beneath the street to improve local internet speeds.
- The suspension bridge relies on massive steel cables to distribute the weight of the roadway across the two primary towers.

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