noun
modem
MOH-duhm
noun
1
A device that converts digital signals into a form that can travel over phone or cable lines, and back again, allowing computers to connect to a network.
"The internet went down after the modem lost power."
"He plugged the router directly into the modem."
How to Use Modem
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe box that connects your home to the internet by translating signals back and forth.
Common pairings
cable modem
reset the modem
modem and router
Word Forms
modemed past tense, modemmed past tense, modems plural, modems singular
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “modem”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The internet went down after the _____ lost power.
Etymology
A blend of "modulator" and "demodulator," describing the two jobs the device performs.