television - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
television Word Meanings
- a device for receiving broadcast signals and displaying them as video
- a medium for broadcasting entertainment and news
- the system of transmitting visual images and sound that are reproduced on screens.
television Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
television Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˌtɛlɪˈvɪʒən/
US
/ˌtɛləˈvɪʒən/
television Word Etymology
tele- = distant, vision = sight; Latin → Greek → English. Imagine sitting at a distance and watching your favorite show on a screen.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I reach for the remote, press a button, and the screen glows to life. The image shifts as I adjust the channel, and the room fills with light and sound. I feel the effort of choosing, a small tug of attention, as I set the scene I want to watch. Television stops being a lump of plastic and becomes a window I keep turning toward, letting stories, news, or jokes shape my evening.
Real Context
Television is a noun that can refer to a physical television set that receives broadcast signals and displays them as moving pictures with sound, often simply called a TV. It also means the medium or industry of broadcasting entertainment and news, and more generally the system of transmitting visual images and sound to screens around the world. In everyday English, people say 'watch television' or 'watch a TV show' rather than 'watch the television'. With digital and streaming platforms, the line between traditional television and online video has blurred, but many sentences still contrast 'television' with 'streaming'. Learners should note that 'television' is more formal; the plural is rarely used to refer to programs.
Usage Reminders
- Watch = watch; TV = the device or the medium. Avoid saying 'the TVs' when talking about programs. Use 'television' in formal writing. 'TV show' is common in everyday speech. TV and streaming coexist in modern usage. Remember plural form for 'televisions' is rarely used for programs.
Common Misconceptions
- TV is always the same as television
- Television only refers to the device, not the medium
- Television and TV cannot be used for plural programs
- Television always denotes live broadcasting
- Television and streaming are completely unrelated
Thinking Differences
English speakers often treat television as both a device and the broad medium, but many other languages encode this with distinct terms for the hardware versus the medium, which can lead to mixups in learners when switching contexts.
Learning Tips
- Practice both uses by making 3 sentences a day: device and medium.
- Use TV to refer to content in informal speech.
- In formal writing, prefer television.
- Note that streaming platforms blur lines with traditional television.
- Learn common collocations: television program, television news, TV show.
- Watch a variety of programs to hear different contexts.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the best definition of 'television'?
A.A type of musical instrument played with keys.
B.A handheld tool used for writing on paper.
C.A system for transmitting moving images and sound for entertainment or information, and the device that receives and displays them.
D.A large printed poster displayed in public places.
Step 2: Usage
Which sentence uses 'television' correctly?
A.The cake television was delicious at the party.
B.She put the television in her pocket before leaving.
C.After dinner we watched a documentary on television.
D.He wrote a letter on the television about the meeting.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is most similar in meaning to 'television'?
A.radio
B.TV
C.book
D.microwave
Step 4: Opposite Words
Which word is the best contrasting medium to 'television'?
A.computer
B.newspaper
C.radio
D.painting
Step 5: Mastery
Which of these real-life scenarios correctly describes when you would use a television?
A.He carried printed flyers to hand out at the concert.
B.The family gathered in the living room to watch the evening news on the big screen.
C.She tuned the radio to listen to the sports commentary.
D.They photographed the guests to create a wedding album.
Related Listening
🔥 Advanced
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