Modem

//ˈməʊdəm// noun, verb

noun, verb ·Uncommon ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A device that encodes digital computer signals into analog telephone signals and vice versa, allowing computers to communicate over a phone line.

    "Choose and rent, over PC and modem and fiber-optic line, from tens of thousands of second-run films, documentaries, the occasional sport, old beloved non—‘Happy Days’ programs, wholly new programs, cultural stuff, and c.[…]"

  2. 2
    (from a combination of MOdulate and DEModulate) electronic equipment consisting of a device used to connect computers by a telephone line wordnet
Verb
  1. 1
    To transmit by modem.

    "Personal modeming is most prevalent in the U.S., where a modem generally doesn't have huge taxes slapped on it, and after-tax income is comparatively high."

Example

More examples

"The modem was built into the computer."

Etymology

Clipping of modulator-demodulator

Related phrases

USB modemcable modemfax modemnull modemradio modemwireless modem

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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.