television
noun
ˈtelɪvɪʒn 
ˈtelɪvɪʒn 
1 (also television set) (also British English informal telly) [countable] a piece of electrical equipment with a screen on which you can watch programmes with moving pictures and soundsa colour televisiona widescreen televisiona plasma screen televisionto turn the television on/off2 (also British English informal telly) [uncountable] the programmes broadcast on televisionWe don't do much in the evenings except watch television.3 [uncountable] the system, process or business of broadcasting television programmessatellite/terrestrial/cable/digital televisionthe television newsa television documentarya television company/presenterI'd like to work in television (= for a television company). see also cable television, closed-circuit televisionIdioms
on (the) television
(also informal on TV) (also British English informal on the telly) being broadcast by television; appearing in a television programmeWhat's on television tonight?Is there anything good on the telly tonight?It was on TV yesterday.I recognize you. Aren't you on television?
Usage note: TelevisionWatchingwatch television/TV/a show/(British English) a programme/(North American English) a program/a documentary/a pilot/a rerun/a repeatsee (especially British English) an ad/(especially North American English) a commercial/the news/the weathercatch/miss a show/a programme/a program/an episode/the newspick up/reach for/grab the remote (control)change/switch channelsurf (through)/(especially North American English) flip through/(especially British English) flick through the channelssit in front of/switch on/switch off/turn on/turn off the television/the TV/the TV sethave/install satellite (TV)/cable (TV)/a satellite dishShowingshow a programme/a documentary/an ad/a commercialscreen a programme/a documentaryrun an ad/a commercialbroadcast/(especially North American English) air/repeat a show/a programme/a documentary/an episode/a seriesgo out/air/be recorded liveattract/draw (in)/pull (in) viewersbe a hit with viewers/audiences/criticsget (low/high) ratingsAppearingbe on/appear on television/TV/a TV showtake part in a phone-in/a game show/a quiz show/a reality TV showhost a show/a programme/series/a game show/a quiz show/a talk show/(British English) a chat showbe/become/work as a (British English) TV presenter/talk-show host/sports commentator/anchorman/(British English) newsreaderread/present the newsappear/perform live (on TV)Programme-makingdo/film/make a show/a programme/a documentary/an episode/a pilot/a series/an ad/a commercialwork on a soap (opera)/a pilot (episode)/a sitcomwrite/produce a drama/sitcom/spin-off/comedy series