antenna
3 synonyms for antenna, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A metal rod, wire, or dish used to send or receive radio, television, or other electromagnetic signals.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
From Latin antenna, originally the name for a ship's sail-yard (the pole a sail hangs from) — the insect feeler and the radio device were both later compared to that slender pole.
Full origin of antenna →Frequently asked questions
What does “antenna” mean?
The word “antenna” means a metal rod, wire, or dish used to send or receive radio, television, or other electromagnetic signals. In plain terms, either a device for catching radio signals, or a feeler on a bug, or a knack for sensing things.
How do you pronounce “antenna”?
“Antenna” is pronounced an-TEHN-uh (/ænˈtɛn.ə/ in IPA).
How do you use “antenna” in a sentence?
Here is “antenna” used in a sentence: “She adjusted the car's antenna to get a clearer radio signal.”
What part of speech is “antenna”?
“Antenna” is a noun.
Where does the word “antenna” come from?
The word “antenna” comes from Latin. From Latin antenna, originally the name for a ship's sail-yard (the pole a sail hangs from) — the insect feeler and the radio device were both later compared to that slender pole.
Is “antenna” a common word?
“Antenna” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “antenna” have?
“Antenna” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a metal rod, wire, or dish used to send or receive radio, television, or other electromagnetic signals.
What is the difference between an antenna and an insect's feelers?
"Antenna" can refer either to a metal rod or dish that sends and receives signals for devices like radios and televisions, or to the thin, jointed feelers on an insect's head used for touch and smell. Context usually makes clear which sense is meant.
What is the plural of "antenna"?
"Antenna" has two accepted plurals: "antennas" is generally used for the electronic device sense, while "antennae" is more common when referring to the feelers of insects or crustaceans.
What does it mean to say someone "has an antenna" for something?
Used figuratively, having an "antenna" for something means having a sharp instinct for sensing what is happening around you, such as an antenna for trouble or gossip. This extends the idea of an antenna picking up signals to a person's intuition.
