telethon

noun

tele·​thon ˈte-lə-ˌthän How to pronounce telethon (audio)
: a long television program usually to solicit funds especially for a charity

Examples of telethon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Josh Brolin, Ben Schwartz, Jean Smart, Ke Huy Quan, and many more actors, musicians, comedians, and content creators are set to participate in LA Wildfire Relief LIVE, a livestreamed telethon event in support of wildfire recovery efforts. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 16 Jan. 2025 Some stars, like Jean Smart and Patricia Arquette, have called for award shows to be cancelled or re-focused as charitable telethons to raise funds for the fires. Elizabeth Wagmeister, CNN, 14 Jan. 2025 In a joint statement on Monday (Jan. 13), Harvey Mason jr., CEO of both the Recording Academy and MusiCares, and Tammy Hurt, the chair of the academy’s board of trustees, suggested that the Feb. 2 show would combine the fund-raising goal and emotional appeals of a telethon with award presentations. Paul Grein, Billboard, 14 Jan. 2025 This suggests that, much like the Grammys, the Oscars could serve as a telethon of sorts, working to raise funds for those affected by the fires and those who continue to fight them. Radhika Seth, Vogue, 14 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for telethon 

Word History

Etymology

tele- + -athon

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of telethon was in 1949

Dictionary Entries Near telethon

Cite this Entry

“Telethon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/telethon. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

telethon

noun
tele·​thon ˈtel-ə-ˌthän How to pronounce telethon (audio)
: a long television program usually to raise funds for a charity
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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