television

television — noun

1. a piece of home equipment that shows video and audio from broadcast signals on i

1.nounA2
Definition

a piece of home equipment that shows video and audio from broadcast signals on its display, or the industry that creates programming and transmits it to viewers

Example

Eli bought a new television for his bedroom so he could watch films at night.

countable: a new television

Linh thinks that television keeps children indoors when they should be playing outside.

uncountable: television as a medium

Common collocations
  • watch television
  • on television
  • television programme
  • television set
  • television screen
  • television broadcast
  • television series
  • cable television
  • digital television
Synonyms
  • TV

    common abbreviation, used in all registers

  • telly

    informal British term

  • the box

    informal British term, slightly dated

Usage Note

Countable when referring to the physical set (a television / two televisions); uncountable when referring to the medium, industry, or programmes (television is / was).

Common Mistakes

I watched an interesting television on Netflix.
I watched an interesting programme on Netflix.
Use 'programme' or 'show' for the content; 'television' by itself means the device or the medium.
Idioms

on (the) television

idiom

Being shown or broadcast through a television set.

Mia watched her favorite show on the television last night.

Is there a football game on television this Saturday?