modem
MOH-duhm
Modem (noun) means a device that converts digital signals into a form that can travel over phone or cable lines, and back again, allowing computers to connect to a network. Example: “The internet went down after the modem lost power.”
noun
1
A device that converts digital signals into a form that can travel over phone or cable lines, and back again, allowing computers to connect to a network.
"The internet went down after the modem lost power."
"He plugged the router directly into the modem."
How to use modem
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe box that connects your home to the internet by translating signals back and forth.
Common pairings
cable modem
reset the modem
modem and router
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like modem.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- modems
- Third person singular
- modems
- Past tense
- modemed, modemmed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The internet went down after the _____ lost power.
Etymology
A blend of "modulator" and "demodulator," describing the two jobs the device performs.
Frequently asked questions
What does “modem” mean?
The word “modem” means a device that converts digital signals into a form that can travel over phone or cable lines, and back again, allowing computers to connect to a network. In plain terms, the box that connects your home to the internet by translating signals back and forth.
How do you pronounce “modem”?
“Modem” is pronounced MOH-duhm (/ˈmoʊdəm/ in IPA).
How do you use “modem” in a sentence?
Here is “modem” used in a sentence: “The internet went down after the modem lost power.”
What part of speech is “modem”?
“Modem” is a noun.
Is “modem” a common word?
“Modem” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include modem:
