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Glite Dictionary
to broadcast live on air

to broadcast live on air

3.0
Send a program as it happens on radio or TV
  • phrasal verb
  • /ˈbrɔːdˌkæst laɪv ɒn ɛr/
  • Literature
translation icon : transmitir en vivo
  • The president's speech was broadcast live on air across multiple national networks.

Examples

  • The concert will be broadcast live on air so fans everywhere can listen as it happens.

  • Major sporting events are often broadcast live on air to reach the widest possible audience.

  • They will broadcast live on air tomorrow.

  • The concert was broadcasted live on air last night.

  • Major sporting events are often broadcast live on air to reach the widest possible audience.

  • The concert will be broadcast live on air so fans everywhere can listen as it happens.

  • The president's speech was broadcast live on air across multiple national networks.

Synonyms

to send
vsto broadcast live on air
602 3.2

Show a program to many people on radio or television

is always live and occurs in real time rather than later
to beam
vsto broadcast live on air
346 3.7

To send a television or radio show to many people

emphasizes real time transmission to audiences rather than just signalling
to air
vsto broadcast live on air
  • Literature
203 3.0

To broadcast a program on radio or TV

is transmitted in real time rather than at a later time
to broadcast
vsto broadcast live on air
  • Literature
178 2.1

To send a radio or television program to the public

is specifically live and sent as it happens
to televise
vsto broadcast live on air
140 3.8

To show a programme on television

is transmitted live in real time rather than being delayed
to transmit
vsto broadcast live on air
73 3.7

To send out a radio or TV program so people can receive it

focuses on live real time distribution rather than general sending
to telecast
vsto broadcast live on air
1 3.9

To show a program on television for many people to watch

is live and sent as it happens rather than pre-recorded
to livestream
vsto broadcast live on air
  • Texting
1 3.2

To send live video over the internet so people can watch as it happens

uses internet delivery rather than radio or television airwaves
to stream online
vsto broadcast live on air
  • Texting
1 3.7

To show live video or sound on the internet

uses the internet instead of radio or television transmission
to cablecast
vsto broadcast live on air
  • US
6.3

To send a television or radio program through cable to homes

is live on traditional radio or television airwaves, not only cable

How Live

to broadcast live on air
  • Literature
3.0
to prerecord
4 4.4

Surface Forms

broadcast live on air infinitive
broadcasting live on air present participle
broadcasts live on air third person singular
broadcasted live on air past
broadcasted live on air past participle

Morphology

broadcast + live + on + air

The meaning is directly compositional: 'broadcast' = transmit, 'live' = happening in real time, and 'on air' = being transmitted; together they straightforwardly yield 'transmit in real time to the public'. This combination follows common verb + particle/prepositional patterns found across languages and is predictable for a B1 learner who knows the constituent words.

Etymology

Broadcast live on air comes from simple images: broadcast once meant throwing seeds over a field, on air means sending sound or pictures through the air, and live means 'in real time'. So the phrase means to send a program to many people 'as it happens'.