What does antenna mean?
An antenna is either of two quite different things linked by shape: a thin, rod-like structure that projects outward. In biology, an antenna (plural: antennae) is one of a pair of jointed sensory organs on the head of insects, crustaceans, and related creatures, used to feel, smell, and sometimes hear the surrounding world. In technology, an antenna is a metal rod, wire, or array designed to send or receive radio waves — the essential link between a device and the airwaves carrying television, radio, Wi-Fi, and satellite signals. The word entered English in the seventeenth century from Latin, where 'antenna' named the horizontal yard of a sailing ship; naturalists later borrowed it for insect feelers because of their resemblance to those spars, and radio engineers adopted it again in the early twentieth century. Americans say 'antenna' for both senses, while Britons often prefer 'aerial' for the receiving device. Few words so neatly connect the anatomy of a moth with the machinery of modern communication.
A rod, wire, or similar structure used to transmit or receive radio, television, or other electromagnetic signals.
"The old house still had a rusted television antenna bolted to its chimney."
In British English, 'aerial' is often preferred for this meaning; the plural may be 'antennas' in technical contexts.
One of a pair of long, slender, jointed sensory appendages on the head of insects and some other arthropods, used mainly for touch and smell.
"Cockroaches use their antennae to navigate dark spaces by touch and smell."
The plural here is conventionally 'antennae', following the Latin form.
Both plurals are correct but are used in different contexts: 'antennae' follows the Latin original and is standard in biology and entomology, while 'antennas' is widely accepted in everyday and technical American usage, especially for electronic devices.
"The butterfly's two antennae were tipped with tiny clubs, while the radio mast carried several separate antennas."
The word 'antenna' comes from the Latin for a ship's yard — the spar that holds sails aloft — which is exactly what early radio pioneers thought their wire contraptions resembled.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of antenna
The word 'antenna' derives directly from Latin 'antenna', which meant the horizontal yard or spar of a sailing ship that held the sail extended. It was first recorded in English in the early seventeenth century as a nautical term. Naturalists later applied it to the paired sensory feelers of insects because these appendages resembled a ship's yards, and this biological meaning became established by the eighteenth century. When wireless telegraphy emerged around 1900, engineers reused the word for receiving and transmitting wires, again evoking the image of rigging aloft; cognates appear across Romance languages, such as Italian 'antenna' and French 'antenne'.
Related word forms
How antenna is actually used
In American English, 'antenna' is the standard term for both the electronic device and the biological appendage; in British English, 'aerial' is traditionally preferred for the electronic device. The plural is 'antennae' in scientific and biological contexts (following Latin), while 'antennas' is common and accepted in everyday and technical American usage for the devices.
Easily confused with antenna
'Antenna' is the singular form referring to one appendage or device, while 'antennae' is the plural form used when referring to more than one.
'Aerial' is the British English term for a radio or TV receiving device, whereas 'antenna' is the standard American term — though 'antenna' also covers the biological sense that 'aerial' does not.