radio

[rey-dee-oh] /ˈreɪ diˌoʊ/
noun, plural radios.
1.
wireless telegraphy or telephony:
speeches broadcast by radio.
2.
an apparatus for receiving or transmitting radio broadcasts.
3.
a message transmitted by radio.
adjective
4.
pertaining to, used in, or sent by radio.
5.
pertaining to or employing radiations, as of electrical energy.
verb (used with object), radioed, radioing.
6.
to transmit (a message, music, etc.) by radio.
7.
to send a message to (a person) by radio.
verb (used without object), radioed, radioing.
8.
to transmit a message, music, etc., by radio.
Origin
1910-15; shortening of radiotelegraph or radiotelegraphy
Related forms
preradio, adjective

radio-

1.
a combining form with the meanings “dealing with radiant energy” (radiometer), “employing or dealing with radio waves” (radioacoustics; radiolocation; radiotelephone), “emitting rays as a result of the breakup of atomic nuclei” (radioactive; radiocarbon), “characterized by, employing or dealing with such rays” (radiography; radiopaque; radiotherapy).
Origin
< French, combining form representing Latin radius beam, ray, radius
Examples from the web for radio
  • Salt water can catch a flame when exposed to certain radio waves, a chemist has confirmed.
  • Spiralling radio waves could revolutionize telecommunications.
  • Cellphones use ultra-high-frequency radio waves to connect with telecommunications networks.
  • radio communication at sea quickly evolved into an indispensable safety aid for mariners.
  • The radio waves that pulse from the poles are identical to each other.
  • Seismic waves, unlike radio waves, give a profile of water depth.
  • The difference is that radar depends on radio waves.
  • They identify radio-equipped headgear allowing direct communication from coach to player.
  • After all, the radio waves carrying the time signal must travel at the speed of light, regardless of the satellites' speed.
  • Visible light and radio waves do not or cannot escape from such regions.
British Dictionary definitions for radio

radio

/ˈreɪdɪəʊ/
noun (pl) -os
1.
the use of electromagnetic waves, lying in the radio-frequency range, for broadcasting, two-way communications, etc
2.
Also called (esp Brit) wireless. an electronic device designed to receive, demodulate, and amplify radio signals from sound broadcasting stations, etc
3.
a similar device permitting both transmission and reception of radio signals for two-way communications
4.
the broadcasting, content, etc, of sound radio programmes: he thinks radio is poor these days
5.
  1. the occupation or profession concerned with any aspect of the broadcasting of sound radio programmes: he's in radio
  2. (modifier) relating to, produced for, or transmitted by sound radio: radio drama
6.
short for radiotelegraph, radiotelegraphy, radiotelephone
7.
(modifier)
  1. of, relating to, employed in, or sent by radio signals: a radio station
  2. of, concerned with, using, or operated by radio frequencies: radio spectrum
8.
(modifier) (of a motor vehicle) equipped with a radio for communication: radio car
verb -os, -oing, -oed
9.
to transmit (a message) to (a person, radio station, etc) by means of radio waves
Word Origin
C20: short for radiotelegraphy

radio-

combining form
1.
denoting radio, broadcasting, or radio frequency: radiogram
2.
indicating radioactivity or radiation: radiochemistry, radiolucent
3.
indicating a radioactive isotope or substance: radioactinium, radiothorium, radioelement
Word Origin
from French, from Latin radius ray; see radius
Word Origin and History for radio
n.

"wireless transmission of voice signals with radio waves," 1907, abstracted from earlier combinations such as radio-receiver (1903), radiophone (1881), radio-telegraphy (1898), from radio- as a comb. form of Latin radius "beam." Use for "radio receiver" is first attested 1913; sense of "sound broadcasting as a medium" is from 1913.

It is not a dream, but a probability that the radio will demolish blocs, cut the strings of red tape, actuate the voice "back home," dismantle politics and entrench the nation's executive in a position of power unlike that within the grasp of any executive in the world's history. ["The Reading Eagle," Reading, Pa., U.S.A., March 16, 1924]
Wireless remained more widespread until World War II, when military preference for radio turned the tables. As an adjective by 1912, "by radio transmission;" meaning "controlled by radio" from 1974. Radio _______ "radio station or service from _______" is recorded from 1920. A radio shack (1946) was a small building housing radio equipment.

v.

1916, from radio (n.). Related: Radioed; radioing.

radio-

word-forming element meaning 1. "ray, ray-like" (see radius); 2. "radial, radially" (see radial (adj.)); 3. "by means of radiant energy" (see radiate (v.)); 4. "radioactive" (see radioactive); 5. "by radio" (see radio (n.)).

radio in Medicine

radio- or radi-
pref.

  1. Radiation; radiant energy: radiometer.

  2. Radioactive: radiochemistry.

  3. Radius: radiobicipital.

radio in Science
radio
  (rā'dē-ō)   
Noun  The equipment used to generate, alter, transmit, and receive radio waves so that they carry information.

Adjective  Relating to or involving the emission of radio waves.