antenna

noun

an·ten·na an-ˈte-nə

plural antennae an-ˈte-(ˌ)nē

or antennas

plural antennae : one of a pair of slender, movable, segmented sensory organs on the head of insects, myriapods, and crustaceans see insect illustration

: a usually metallic device (such as a rod or wire) for radiating or receiving radio waves

a TV antenna

antennae plural : a special sensitivity or receptiveness

… his political antennae proved to be shrewder than ever.

Erich Segal

antennal

an-ˈte-nᵊl

adjective

Did you know?

The Latin word antenna meant “sail yard,” which is the long spar that supports and spreads the sail on a sailing vessel. The Greek word for a sail yard was keraia, but that was only one meaning of this word. The primary meaning was “horn.” The philosopher Aristotle used keraiai to describe the feelers of insects, probably because of their resemblance to the horns of some larger animals. In a Latin translation of Aristotle’s work made during the Renaissance, the word antennae was used for Greek keraiai. In English we still use antennae for insects’ feelers. And now we also use antenna for the metal rods that pick up radio waves and seem to “feel the air” like the antennae of an insect.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The biggest challenge is miniaturizing a satellite antenna to fit inside a smartphone like the Galaxy S23.

Chris Smith, BGR, 24 Nov. 2022 It’s not just antenna components that allowed Apple to connect to satellites from a smartphone that doesn’t look like a bulky satellite handset.

Chris Smith, BGR, 16 Nov. 2022 According to Apple's blog post on the topic: Apple designed and built custom components and software that allow iPhone 14 to connect to a satellite’s unique frequencies without a bulky antenna.

Samuel Axon, Ars Technica, 15 Nov. 2022 On the hardware side, that meant introducing custom components to optimize receive and transmit paths without a protruding antenna.

Hunter Fenollol, Popular Mechanics, 15 Nov. 2022 It’s all part of a strategy to keep NBC News relevant in an age of declining linear TV viewership, with Roku boxes and Amazon Fire sticks becoming the way consumers get their TV fix, rather than the cable box or antenna.

Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Nov. 2022 The object in question is a new 5G antenna tower erected by LinkNYC, the latest hardware in New York’s sweeping technological upgrade.

Dodai Stewart, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Nov. 2022 The feature takes place during summer vacation, when introverted, young Allan starts acting as a human antenna for his old neighbor, who thinks a huge invasion from outer space is on its way.

Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 2 Nov. 2022 But the test came back negative—as did more elaborate tests, including a cystoscopy in which an apparently teenage urologist inserted an old-fashioned cystoscope through my urethra in agonizing increments, like a telescopic radio antenna.

Kieran Setiya, The Atlantic, 1 Nov. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'antenna.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin, from Latin, sail yard

First Known Use

1698, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of antenna was in 1698

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Antenna.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antenna. Accessed 7 Dec. 2022.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

antenna

noun

an·ten·na an-ˈten-ə

plural antennae -ˈten-(ˌ)ē

or antennas

plural usually antennae : one of a pair of slender movable organs of sensation on the head of an arthropod (as an insect or a crab) that are made up of segments

plural usually antennas : a device (as a rod or wire) for sending or receiving radio waves