noun
Uncommon
antenna
an-TEHN-uh
Antenna (noun) means a metal rod, wire, or dish used to send or receive radio, television, or other electromagnetic signals. Example: “She adjusted the car's antenna to get a clearer radio signal.”
noun
1
A metal rod, wire, or dish used to send or receive radio, television, or other electromagnetic signals.
"She adjusted the car's antenna to get a clearer radio signal."
"The satellite dish acts as a large antenna for receiving TV broadcasts."
"We fixed a new antenna to the roof so the television would stop flickering."
2
One of the thin, jointed feelers on the head of an insect, crab, or similar creature, used for touch and smell.
"The ant waved its antennae as it explored the crumb."
"The butterfly touched the flower with its long antennae before landing."
"Under the microscope, we could see the beetle's antennae twitching."
3
Figuratively, a sharp instinct for sensing what is happening around you.
"Good journalists develop an antenna for spotting a story before anyone else does."
"He has a fine antenna for when a colleague is unhappy."
"A good salesperson has an antenna for what customers really want."
How to use antenna
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a device for catching radio signals, or a feeler on a bug, or a knack for sensing things.
Common mistake
The plural for insect feelers is usually "antennae," while "antennas" is the more common plural for radio devices.
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Word forms
- Plural
- antennae, antennas, antennæ
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She adjusted the car's _____ to get a clearer radio signal.
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.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for antenna
See all rhymes for 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.
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