ENGLISH
REFERENCE

television

n. C / U
A1 Beginner Oxford US //ˈtɛɫəˌvɪʒən// UK //tˈɛlɪvˌɪʒən// tele·vi·sion Archaic General-service Informal

n. a piece of equipment with a screen that receives signals and turns them into moving pictures and sound. You use it to watch shows, news, or movies.

n. an electronic device used for receiving and displaying broadcast signals as moving images and sound. Often used to refer to the medium of broadcasting or the industry as a whole.


SIMPLE

I like to watch television after I finish my work.

CONTEXTUAL

The family gathered in the living room to watch the championship game on the new television.

COMPLEX

While digital streaming has changed viewing habits, traditional television remains a primary source of information and entertainment for millions of households globally.

Synonyms
Origin

From tele- + vision; first attested in 1900, probably influenced by French télévision from Constantin Perskyi's 1900 paper that was unpublished but presented at a Paris conference.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the medium or the content ('I watch television'); countable when referring to the physical device ('We bought two televisions').

Pitfall

I am watching the televisionI am watching televisionWhen referring to the activity or the medium, do not use the definite article 'the'.

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