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transmitting aerial

transmitting aerial

5.3
An antenna that sends radio or TV signals
  • noun
  • UK
translation icon : antena transmisora
  • The technician climbed up to check the condition of the transmitting aerial on the rooftop.

Examples

  • Then the next unspeakable moment—flames shot out downward from the damaged upper stories, and in a matter of seconds, the huge television and radio transmitting aerial (about all that was visible through the black smoke) atop the building started falling, at first straight down.

    Academic text (2001)
  • They installed a new transmitting aerial to improve the quality of the television reception.

  • The transmitting aerial allows the radio station to broadcast signals over a large area.

Synonyms

transmitter
vstransmitting aerial
  • Specialized
142 3.9

A device that sends radio or television signals across long distances

radiates signals into space rather than creating the signal source itself
antenna
vstransmitting aerial
  • US
96 3.7

A metal device on a roof or car that sends and receives radio and TV signals

is made specifically to send out radio or television signals only
aerial
vstransmitting aerial
  • UK
10 5.1

A metal rod or wire that sends and gets radio and TV signals

focuses on sending signals rather than picking them up
radio transmitter
vstransmitting aerial
  • Specialized
7 3.4

A device that sends out radio signals

radiates radio signals into space instead of producing them
directional antenna
vstransmitting aerial
  • Specialized
1 5.8

A device that sends or receives radio waves mostly in one direction

sends signals aimed broadly rather than mainly in one direction
television transmitter
vstransmitting aerial
  • Specialized
1 3.5

A device that sends television signals for people to watch

radiates television signals into space rather than generating them
satellite transmitter
vstransmitting aerial
  • Specialized
1 4.1

A device on a satellite that sends signals to Earth or other satellites

radiates signals from ground-based equipment rather than orbiting platforms
dish aerial
vstransmitting aerial
  • UK
6.8

A curved metal dish that sends and receives signals from satellites

sends signals without requiring a parabolic reflector

How Far

dish
  • Specialized
110 6.6
directional antenna
  • Specialized
1 5.8
transmitting aerial
  • UK
5.3

Surface Forms

Morphology

transmit + aerial

The phrase is a straightforward composition of 'transmit' (to send out signals) and 'aerial' (an antenna), with the present-participle 'transmitting' simply describing the function of the aerial. This is a common modifier+noun pattern found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

Transmitting aerial comes from a simple picture: aerial means 'in the air' and transmitting means 'sending'. So people imagined a tall pole reaching up to send radio or TV waves, and today the phrase names the 'antenna' that sends those signals.