Airwaves

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The spectrum of electromagnetic frequencies utilized for transmitting audio and visual signals over distances serves as a conduit for communication
2. Channels of electromagnetic radiation that facilitate the transfer of sound and images to various receiving devices embody essential broadcasting mediums
3. The range of electromagnetic frequencies used to send out auditory and visual content enables communication across distances

Etymology: In ancient Greek, "aēr" referred to the thick, misty air close to the ground and sea, while a different word, "aithēr," named the bright, clear upper sky. English took the "aēr" line through Latin "aer" and Old French "air," so the first half of this compound inherits the murkier of the two Greek words. The second half, "wave," comes from Old English "wæg," which described the rising and falling motion of water. Over time the word came to describe any disturbance that travels through a medium without the medium itself moving along with it. Once scientists described sound and light in those terms, the image could be applied to radio signals passing through the atmosphere, and the compound now names the invisible routes those signals take.

Synonyms: broadcast, signals, transmissions