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[rey-dee-oh] /ˈreɪ diˌoʊ/

noun, plural radios.
1.
wireless telegraphy or telephony:
speeches broadcast by radio.
2.
an apparatus for receiving or transmitting radio broadcasts.
3.
a message transmitted by radio.
adjective
4.
pertaining to, used in, or sent by radio.
5.
pertaining to or employing radiations, as of electrical energy.
verb (used with object), radioed, radioing.
6.
to transmit (a message, music, etc.) by radio.
7.
to send a message to (a person) by radio.
verb (used without object), radioed, radioing.
8.
to transmit a message, music, etc., by radio.
1.
a combining form with the meanings “dealing with radiant energy” (radiometer), “employing or dealing with radio waves” (radioacoustics; radiolocation; radiotelephone), “emitting rays as a result of the breakup of atomic nuclei” (radioactive; radiocarbon), “characterized by, employing or dealing with such rays” (radiography; radiopaque; radiotherapy).
/ˈreɪdɪəʊ/
noun (pl) -os
1.
the use of electromagnetic waves, lying in the radio-frequency range, for broadcasting, two-way communications, etc
2.
Also called (esp Brit) wireless. an electronic device designed to receive, demodulate, and amplify radio signals from sound broadcasting stations, etc
3.
a similar device permitting both transmission and reception of radio signals for two-way communications
4.
the broadcasting, content, etc, of sound radio programmes: he thinks radio is poor these days
5.

6.
short for radiotelegraph, radiotelegraphy, radiotelephone
7.
(modifier)

8.
(modifier) (of a motor vehicle) equipped with a radio for communication: radio car
verb -os, -oing, -oed
9.
to transmit (a message) to (a person, radio station, etc) by means of radio waves
combining form
1.
denoting radio, broadcasting, or radio frequency: radiogram
2.
indicating radioactivity or radiation: radiochemistry, radiolucent
3.
indicating a radioactive isotope or substance: radioactinium, radiothorium, radioelement
n.

“wireless transmission of voice signals with radio waves,” 1907, abstracted from earlier combinations such as radio-receiver (1903), radiophone (1881), radio-telegraphy (1898), from radio- as a comb. form of Latin radius “beam.” Use for “radio receiver” is first attested 1913; sense of “sound broadcasting as a medium” is from 1913.

It is not a dream, but a probability that the radio will demolish blocs, cut the strings of red tape, actuate the voice “back home,” dismantle politics and entrench the nation’s executive in a position of power unlike that within the grasp of any executive in the world’s history. [“The Reading Eagle,” Reading, Pa., U.S.A., March 16, 1924]

Wireless remained more widespread until World War II, when military preference for radio turned the tables. As an adjective by 1912, “by radio transmission;” meaning “controlled by radio” from 1974. Radio _______ “radio station or service from _______” is recorded from 1920. A radio shack (1946) was a small building housing radio equipment.

v.

1916, from radio (n.). Related: Radioed; radioing.

word-forming element meaning 1. “ray, ray-like” (see radius); 2. “radial, radially” (see radial (adj.)); 3. “by means of radiant energy” (see radiate (v.)); 4. “radioactive” (see radioactive); 5. “by radio” (see radio (n.)).

radio- or radi-
pref.

radio
(rā’dē-ō)
Noun The equipment used to generate, alter, transmit, and receive radio waves so that they carry information.

Adjective Relating to or involving the emission of radio waves.