antenna

noun

an·​ten·​na an-ˈte-nə How to pronounce antenna (audio)
plural antennae an-ˈte-(ˌ)nē How to pronounce antenna (audio) or antennas
1
plural antennae : one of a pair of slender, movable, segmented sensory organs on the head of insects, myriapods, and crustaceans see insect illustration
2
: a usually metallic device (such as a rod or wire) for radiating or receiving radio waves
a TV antenna
3
antennae plural : a special sensitivity or receptiveness
… his political antennae proved to be shrewder than ever.Erich Segal
antennal 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.

Examples of antenna in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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At the radar’s antenna, the average power is about 23.5 megawatts (MW) of energy, Fay says. Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 30 May 2025 Transmitting at the speed of light The radio antenna in Spain where the piece is being broadcast is about 115 feet across, and is operated by the ESA. Rebecca Hersher, NPR, 26 May 2025 The antenna, which was set up while a new control tower was being built, has since been relocated to the Pentagon rooftop, the outlet reported. Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 24 May 2025 Large antennas, including an even larger, 2,400-square-foot version to come, are key to CEO and founder Abel Avellan’s plan to win a new market: satellite internet beamed directly to your phone. Sarah Whitmire, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for antenna

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

“Antenna.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antenna. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

antenna

noun
an·​ten·​na an-ˈten-ə How to pronounce antenna (audio)
plural antennae -ˈten-(ˌ)ē How to pronounce antenna (audio) or antennas
1
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
2
plural usually antennas : a device (as a rod or wire) for sending or receiving radio waves

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