antenna

/ænˈtɛnə/

/ænˈtɛnə/

Other forms: antennae; antennas

An antenna is a feeler found on the head of a bug. You know, the gross, creepy, pointy things they wave around and use as feelers or sensors. An antenna is also a device that sends radio and television signals.

The singular noun antenna is just one of the feelers on a bug’s head — a sensory wand the insect waves around to check out its surroundings. The plural of this antenna is antennae. (Those Greeks and their funny words!) The singular noun antenna is also the thing on top of your television or radio. The plural of this antenna is antennas.

Definitions of antenna

1. noun

   one of a pair of mobile appendages on the head of e.g. insects and crustaceans; typically sensitive to touch and taste
   synonyms: feeler

   type of:

   tentacle

   any of various elongated tactile or prehensile flexible organs that occur on the head or near the mouth in many animals; used for feeling or grasping or locomotion
2. noun

   sensitivity similar to that of a receptor organ
   “he had a special antenna for public relations”

   synonyms: feeler

   type of:

   sensitiveness, sensitivity

   the ability to respond to affective changes in your interpersonal environment
3. noun

   an electrical device that sends or receives radio or television signals
   synonyms: aerial, transmitting aerial

   types:

   dipole, dipole antenna

   an aerial half a wavelength long consisting of two rods connected to a transmission line at the center

   directional antenna

   an antenna that transmits or receives signals only in a narrow angle

   nondirectional antenna, omnidirectional antenna

   an antenna that sends or receives signals equally in all directions

   array

   an arrangement of aerials spaced to give desired directional characteristics

   dish, dish aerial, dish antenna, saucer

   directional antenna consisting of a parabolic reflector for microwave or radio frequency radiation

   radio aerial, radio antenna

   omnidirectional antenna comprising the part of a radio receiver by means of which radio signals are received

   television antenna, tv-antenna

   an omnidirectional antenna tuned to the broadcast frequencies assigned to television

   Yagi aerial, yagi

   a sharply directional antenna

   type of:

   electrical device

   a device that produces or is powered by electricity