Modem Meaning
/ˈməʊdəm/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounA device that encodes digital computer signals into analog telephone signals and vice versa, allowing computers to communicate over a phone line.
verbTo transmit by modem.
Sentence Examples
The modem was built into the computer.
Tom has a fast 56k modem.
You should turn your modem off and on.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The internet was slow because the ____ was outdated and could not handle high speeds.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
You may need to restart your ____ if you find that your home internet connection has become very slow or unreliable.
Word Origin & History
Clipping of modulator-demodulator
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"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.[…]"
— 1996, David Foster Wallace, Infinite Jest […], Boston, Mass.; New York, N.Y.: Little, Brown and Company, →ISBN, page 416:
"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."
— 1992, Jim Kimble, How to get started with modems, page 73:
"“Books” can even be faxed or modemed to you!"
— 1994, Carole Marsh, Jurassic Ark! Alaska Dinosaurs and Other Prehistoric Creatures, page 7:
"He had to modem in to the agency and say that there was an emergency […]"
— 1996, David Foster Wallace, Infinite Jest […], Boston, Mass.; New York, N.Y.: Little, Brown and Company, →ISBN, page 19:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The internet was slow because the ____ was outdated and could not handle high speeds.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
You may need to restart your ____ if you find that your home internet connection has become very slow or unreliable.