1
: of, relating to, or operated by radiant energy
2
: of or relating to electric currents or phenomena (such as electromagnetic radiation) of frequencies between about 3000 hertz and 300 gigahertz
3
a
: of, relating to, or used in radio or a radio set
b
: specializing in radio or associated with the radio industry
c(1)
: transmitted by radio
(2)
: making or participating in radio broadcasts
d
: controlled or directed by radio
plural radios
1
a
: the wireless transmission and reception of electric impulses or signals by means of electromagnetic waves
b
: the use of these waves for the wireless transmission of electric impulses into which sound is converted
2
: a radio message
3
: a radio receiving set
4
a
: a radio transmitting station
b
: a radio broadcasting organization
c
: the radio broadcasting industry
d
: communication by radio
radioed; radioing; radios
: to send or communicate something by radio
see radi-
Examples of radio in a Sentence
Noun
The news was sent by radio.
I listen to the radio all the time.
I heard the news on the radio.
There's a problem with the car's radio.
The radio was playing very loudly.
The pilot's radio wasn't working.
Verb
The police radioed for backup.
The stranded sailors were radioing for help.
The pilot radioed in to the control tower.
The police radioed a report back to the station.
They radioed the Coast Guard for help.
Recent Examples on the Web
Gary Gerard Hamilton, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2023
Pence is a 61-year-old former Indiana governor, former member of Congress, an ex-radio host and an evangelical Christian.
—Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2020
Jim Harrington, The Mercury News, 14 Nov. 2024
The increase is attributed to shipments of BKR 5000 radio products.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
Emma Soren, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2024
Lion radioed Ivan to advance anyway, and Ivan passed the command down the line.
—Sarah A. Topol, New York Times, 20 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for radio 
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Adjective
The first night of two Apollo weekend shows presented by SiriusXM, featured the 36-year-old ripping off songs at a frantic pace — most with just a verse and chorus — satisfying day-one fans with fan-favorite, deep non-radio cuts as well as those only familiar with his No. 1 hits.
—Gary Gerard Hamilton, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2023
Pence is a 61-year-old former Indiana governor, former member of Congress, an ex-radio host and an evangelical Christian.
—Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2020
Noun
Linkin Park’s last local gig came as part of radio station Live 105’s old Not So Silent Night holiday showcase at Oakland Arena on Dec. 12, 2014.
—Jim Harrington, The Mercury News, 14 Nov. 2024
The increase is attributed to shipments of BKR 5000 radio products.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
Verb
For their first lunch, Aesha holds off on service because the wind knocks over a glass, radioing the stews to stand by, but Ellie thinks they’re supposed to start running plates.
—Emma Soren, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2024
Lion radioed Ivan to advance anyway, and Ivan passed the command down the line.
—Sarah A. Topol, New York Times, 20 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for radio
Articles Related to radio
Dictionary Entries Near radio
Cite this Entry
“Radio.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/radio. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
radio
1 of 4 noun
ra·dio
ˈrād-ē-ˌō 
plural radios
1
: the sending or receiving of signals using electromagnetic waves without a connecting wire
radio includes television and radar
especially
: the use of these waves to carry sound that has been changed into electrical energy
2
: a radio receiving set
a transistor radio
3
: the radio broadcasting industry
radio
2 of 4 adjective1
: of, relating to, or operated by radiant energy especially at radio frequencies
2
: of, relating to, or used in radio or a radio
radio commercials
radio
3 of 4 verb
: to communicate or send a message to by radio
radio-
4 of 4 combining form1
: radiant energy : radiation
radioactive
2
: radioactive
radiocarbon
Etymology
Noun
a shortened form of radiotelegraphy, literally, "telegraphy by rays"; radio- from French radio- "radial, radiating," from Latin radius "ray, beam, spoke" — related to radiate, radius, ray entry 2
Combining form
derived from Latin radius "ray, beam, spoke"
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