First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1cable
noun, ca·ble often attributive \ˈkā-bəl\
: a thick, strong rope made of wires that are twisted together
: a wire that moves a part in a machine
: a group of wires, glass fibers, etc., covered in plastic or rubber and used to carry electricity or electrical signals
Full Definition of CABLE
1
a : a strong rope especially of 10 inches (25 centimeters) or more in circumference b : a cable-laid rope c : a wire rope or metal chain of great tensile strength d : a wire or wire rope by which force is exerted to control or operate a mechanism
2
3
a : an assembly of electrical conductors insulated from each other but laid up together (as by being twisted around a central core) b : cablegram; also : a radio message or telegram
4
: something resembling or fashioned like a cable <a fiber-optic cable>
5
: cable television <a house with cable>
See cable defined for English-language learners
See cable defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of CABLE
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin capulum lasso, from Latin capere to take — more at heave
2cable
verb
: to send a message by telegraph
ca·bledca·bling \ˈkā-b(ə-)liŋ\
Full Definition of CABLE
transitive verb
1
: to fasten with or as if with a cable
2
: to provide with a cable or cables
3
: to telegraph by submarine cable
4
: to make into a cable or into a form resembling a cable
intransitive verb
: to communicate by a submarine cable
— ca·bler \-b(ə-)lər\ noun
See cable defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of CABLE
circa 1500
Cable
biographical name Ca·ble \ˈkā-bəl\
Definition of CABLE
George Washington 1844–1925 Am. nov.
CABLE Defined for Kids
1cable
noun ca·ble \ˈkā-bəl\
Definition of CABLE for Kids
1
: a very strong rope, wire, or chain
2
: a bundle of wires to carry electric current
3
: telegram
4
2cable
verb
ca·bledca·bling
Definition of CABLE for Kids
: to send a message by telegraph <She cabled the news to her parents.>
Learn More About CABLE
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: cable addressPrevious Word in the Dictionary: CabiriAll Words Near: cable
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up cable? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).