Definition

1. Noun:

   • A thick, strong rope made of twisted fibers or metal wires: A cable is a heavy-duty cord used for lifting, towing, or securing objects, often on ships or in construction.
   • A bundle of insulated wires for transmitting electricity or signals: A cable is a protected conductor used to carry electrical power, telecommunications, or data.
   • A system for transmitting television signals via coaxial or fiber-optic lines: Cable refers to the infrastructure and service that delivers television programming directly to a receiver.
   • A telegram sent overseas: (Now less common) A cable is a message transmitted internationally by telegraph.
   • A nautical unit of depth: A cable is a unit of length used at sea, historically equal to one-tenth of a nautical mile (approximately 185 meters or 608 feet).

2. Verb:

   • To fasten or secure with a cable: To cable something means to tie it up or anchor it using a thick rope or wire.
   • To send a message by telegraph: To cable someone means to send them a telegram, especially an international one.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The ship was secured to the dock with a heavy steel cable.
  • We need to bury the underground power cable before construction begins.
  • I prefer cable to satellite television because the signal is more reliable.
  • The journalist sent a cable from the war zone to her editor.
  • The wreck was found at a depth of ten cables.

• Verb:

  • The workers cabled the logs together before towing them down the river.
  • He cabled the news to headquarters as soon as he arrived.

Advanced Usage

• "To cable for": To request something by sending a telegram.
  • They cabled for immediate reinforcements.
• "Cable-ready": (Adjective) Describing a television set designed to receive cable television signals directly without a separate converter box.
  • Make sure your new TV is cable-ready.

Variants and Related Words

• Cablegram (n): Another term for a telegram sent by submarine cable.
• Cabling (n): A system or installation of cables.
  • The cabling for the new network is very complex.
• Coaxial cable (n): A type of electrical cable with a central conductor surrounded by insulation and a shield, used for transmitting high-frequency signals.
• Fiber-optic cable (n): A cable containing thin glass or plastic fibers that transmit data as light pulses.

Synonyms

• Rope (for the thick cord meaning).
• Wire (for the electrical conductor meaning).
• Telegraph (for the message meaning).

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Cable up: To connect or equip with cables.
  • The crew is cabling up the stage for the concert.

Related Idioms

• To cut/slip one's cable: (Slang, archaic) To die.
  • The old sailor finally cut his cable after a long life at sea.

Noun

1. a television system that transmits over cables
2. television that is transmitted over cable directly to the receiver
3. a nautical unit of depth
4. a very strong thick rope made of twisted hemp or steel wire
5. a conductor for transmitting electrical or optical signals or electric power
6. a telegram sent abroad

Verb

1. fasten with a cable
   • cable trees
2. send cables, wires, or telegrams