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aerial

Adjective[C/U] Both
pl: aerials

This term evokes a sense of elevation and detachment from the ground. In a technical or military sense, it carries a feeling of strategic oversight and surveillance, implying a perspective that sees the whole landscape rather than a single point. When used as a noun, the term is predominantly British English, where it describes the physical hardware for signal reception. In American English, the word antenna is used instead, making aerial feel specifically regional or specialized in this context.

Countable when referring to a physical antenna on a roof. Uncountable when describing the general state of being in the air.

Meanings

Adjective
[something]

Existing, happening, or operating in the air.

"The drone captured stunning aerial photographs of the city."

Noun
[something]

A metal rod or wire used to receive radio or television signals.

"The old television had a flimsy aerial that kept bending."

Last Updated: May 27, 2026Report an Error