cable

/ˈkeɪbəl/

/ˈkeɪbəl/

Other forms: cables; cabled; cabling

A cable can be a strong and thick hemp or steel rope, or a conductor for sending electrical or optical signals.

Cable has a bunch of meanings — ranging from communication cables to steel cables. With new online services that stream your favorite show on demand, cable television may become a thing of the past. If your adventurous kids have convinced you to install a zip line, then you better find a steel cable. In the age of email, chances are you'll never have a reason to send someone an overseas cable.

Definitions of cable

1. noun

   a very strong thick rope made of twisted hemp or steel wire
   types:

   ground cable

   a mooring cable; runs from a buoy to a mooring anchor

   type of:

   rope

   a strong line
2. verb

   fasten with a cable
   “cable trees”

   type of:

   fasten, fix, secure

   cause to be firmly attached
3. noun

   a conductor for transmitting electrical or optical signals or electric power
   synonyms: line, transmission line

   types:

   coax, coax cable, coaxial cable

   a transmission line for high-frequency signals

   electrical cable

   a cable that provides an electrical connection for telephone or television or power stations

   fiber optic cable, fibre optic cable

   a cable made of optical fibers that can transmit large amounts of information at the speed of light

   power cable, power line

   cable used to distribute electricity

   printer cable

   a cable between a computer and a printer

   ethernet cable

   any of several types of coaxial cable used in ethernets

   type of:

   conductor

   a device designed to transmit electricity, heat, etc.
4. noun

   a television system that transmits over cables
   synonyms: cable system, cable television, cable television service

   type of:

   television, television system

   a telecommunication system that transmits images of objects (stationary or moving) between distant points
5. noun

   television that is transmitted over cable directly to the receiver
   synonyms: cable television

   type of:

   TV, telecasting, television, video

   broadcasting visual images of stationary or moving objects
6. noun

   a telegram sent abroad
   synonyms: cablegram, overseas telegram

   type of:

   telegram, wire

   a message transmitted by telegraph
7. verb

   send cables, wires, or telegrams
   synonyms: telegraph, wire

   type of:

   telecommunicate

   communicate over long distances, as via the telephone or e-mail
8. noun

   a nautical unit of depth
   synonyms: cable length, cable's length

   type of:

   linear measure, linear unit

   a unit of measurement of length