What does telecast mean?
Telecast is both a verb and a noun in modern English. As a verb, it means to broadcast a program, performance, sporting event, or other content over television; as a noun, it names a televised broadcast or the televised presentation of an event. The word is especially familiar in reporting about sports, news, awards ceremonies, and historical broadcasts. It is neutral rather than highly formal, though in much current conversation “broadcast” or “televise” may sound more idiomatic than “telecast.” Telecast can also carry a slightly dated or nostalgic quality because television itself is now a familiar fixture of everyday life. The term’s usefulness lies in its precision: it identifies the medium as television without implying that the content was radio, newspaper, or online. A telecast can be live or recorded, scheduled or transmitted from another country, and it may carry commentary alongside the images. The word also recalls an era in which technological developments created specialized vocabulary. Even so, it remains natural and readily understood wherever English-language television is discussed.
To broadcast a program, event, or other content by television.
"The station will telecast the documentary at nine o'clock."
The verb is commonly transitive, with the program or event as its object.
A television broadcast, especially a televised event or program.
"Millions watched the telecast across the country."
The standard plural is “telecasts.”
The regular plural adds “-s”; “a telecast” refers to one television broadcast.
"The channel's evening sports telecasts include commentary and extended analysis."
Coined when television was new, telecast gave the radio-era word “broadcast” a television-specific cousin.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does telecast come from?
The word was formed during the early development of television in the 1930s by combining tele-, a combining form from Greek tēle, meaning “far” or “at a distance,” with cast, as in broadcast. This television-specific compound distinguished televised transmission from the older radio sense of broadcast. Its relatives television, telephone, telegraph, and telescope belong to the same broad family of Greek-derived compounds using tele-.
Related word forms
How telecast is actually used
The word is common in reporting about sports, news, ceremonies, and historical television, but “broadcast” or “televise” often sounds more natural in contemporary conversation.
Easily confused with telecast
A telecast is specifically a television broadcast, whereas broadcast can refer to transmission by radio, television, or other media.