modem

1 of 2

noun

mo·​dem ˈmō-dəm 

also

-ˌdem 

plural modems

: a device that converts signals produced by one type of device (such as a computer) to a form compatible with another (such as a telephone) and that is used especially to transmit and receive information between computers via landlines

modem

2 of 2

verb

modemed; modeming; modems

transitive verb

: to send (something, such as data) via a modem

Examples of modem in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In March, the House passed a bill requiring U.S. agencies to investigate whether routers, modems and other devices pose national security risks, though the bill does not directly name TP-Link. —Ty Roush, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024

Additionally, the legislation calls for a government study of vulnerabilities in U.S.-based modems and routers, after a wave of cyberattacks against networking devices carried out by hackers believed to have Chinese state ties. —Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024

The iPhone maker has been working on its own modem technology and spent $1 billion to buy Intel's INTC.O modem unit in 2019. —Harshita Mary Varghese, USA TODAY, 7 Dec. 2024

Rumors suggest that Apple will debut its custom modem in the iPhone SE next year, followed by entry-level iPads and an iPhone that’s 2mm thinner than the iPhone 16 Pro, Bloomberg reports. —Emma Roth, The Verge, 6 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

modulator + demodulator

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1952, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1984, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing modem

• cable modem
• fax modem

Kids Definition

modem

noun

mo·​dem

ˈmō-ˌdem

: a device that changes signals from one form to a form which can be used by another kind of equipment

computer information is sent over telephone lines using a modem