Definition

Noun: 1. The medium of radio and television broadcasting; the radio frequency spectrum used for transmitting radio and television signals. This refers to the electromagnetic waves that carry broadcast signals through the air. It is almost always used in the plural form "airwaves."

Usage

The word "airwave" is almost exclusively used in its plural form, "airwaves." It functions as a singular collective noun referring to the broadcast medium as a whole. * It is commonly used with verbs like use, dominate, fill, control, take to, return to, and flood. * It often appears in contexts discussing media access, content regulation, advertising, and public communication.

Examples

• The debate will dominate the airwaves for weeks. (The debate will be the main topic on radio and television.)
• New regulations aim to ensure fairness on the airwaves. (New rules are for the broadcast medium.)
• The singer returned to the airwaves with a new single. (The singer's new song was broadcast again.)
• Political ads flooded the airwaves before the election. (The broadcast medium was saturated with political advertisements.)

Advanced Usage

• "To take to the airwaves": To make a broadcast, especially to address the public directly.
  • The Prime Minister took to the airwaves to reassure the nation.
• "To command/dominate the airwaves": To be the most frequent or prominent subject of broadcasts.
  • The scandal dominated the airwaves for days.

Variants and Related Words

• Broadcast (v/n): To transmit by radio or television; a radio or television program.
• Frequency (n): The specific rate of oscillation in the electromagnetic spectrum assigned to a broadcasting station.
• Bandwidth (n): The range of frequencies used for transmitting a signal; colloquially, it can mean attention or resources in a non-technical context.

Synonyms

• Broadcast medium
• The air (idiomatic, as in "on the air")
• Radio waves (more technical, specific to radio)

Related Idioms and Phrases

• On (the) air: Currently being broadcast.
  • We are on the air in 5 seconds.
• Off the air: Not currently broadcasting; ceased broadcasting.
  • That station went off the air years ago.

Noun

1. medium for radio and television broadcasting
   • the program was on the air from 9 til midnight
   • the president used the airwaves to take his message to the people