antenna

noun an·ten·na \an-ˈte-nə\

: a thin sensitive organ on the head of an insect, crab, etc., that is used mainly to feel and touch things

: a device (such as a wire or a metal rod) for sending or receiving radio or television signals

plural an·ten·nae\-(ˌ)nē\ or an·ten·nas

Full Definition of ANTENNA

plural an·ten·nae : one of a pair of slender movable segmented sensory organs on the head of insects, myriapods, and crustaceans — see insect illustration

: a usually metallic device (as a rod or wire) for radiating or receiving radio waves

antennae plural : a special sensitivity or receptiveness <his political antennae proved to be shrewder than ever — Erich Segal>

— an·ten·nal \-ˈte-n^əl\ adjective

See antenna defined for English-language learners

See antenna defined for kids

Origin of ANTENNA

Medieval Latin, from Latin, sail yard

First Known Use: 1646

Other Telecommunications Terms

Ethernet, intercept

Rhymes with ANTENNA

duenna, Gehenna, McKenna, sienna, Vienna

ANTENNA Defined for Kids

antenna

noun an·ten·na \an-ˈte-nə\

Definition of ANTENNA for Kids

plural an·ten·nae \-ˈte-nē\ : one of two or four threadlike movable feelers on the head of insects and crustaceans (as lobsters)

plural an·ten·nas : a metallic device (as a rod or wire) for sending or receiving radio waves

Word History of ANTENNA

In Greece more than two thousand years ago, the philosopher and naturalist Aristotle wrote a description of insects’ feelers. He used the Greek word keraia, which is derived from the word keras, “horn,” as a name for the feelers. The word keraia in Greek also means “sail yard,” the long piece of wood that spreads and supports the sails on a ship. Centuries later, when Aristotle's work was translated into Latin, the Latin word for a sail yard, antenna, was used to translate keraia. English later borrowed the word antenna from Latin.