What does telethon mean?
A telethon is a long-duration television program designed to raise funds or awareness for a specific cause or charity. Typically involving a live broadcast or streaming event, telethons often feature a variety of performances, celebrity appearances, and appeals for donations. These events have become a popular way for charities to engage with the public and raise significant amounts of money for their causes. Telethons can be broadcast on television, radio, or streamed online, allowing them to reach a wide audience. The format usually involves a continuous broadcast, often with multiple segments, interviews, and updates on the amount of funds raised.
nounA long-duration television program, typically involving a broadcast or live streaming event, that aims to raise funds or awareness for a specific cause or charity.
- A long-duration television program for fundraising or awareness
"The annual charity telethon raised millions of dollars for cancer research."
"The telethon featured various performances and celebrity appearances."
"The live telethon was watched by millions of people worldwide."
countable, used to refer to multiple events
"The organization hosted several telethons throughout the year."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of telethon
The term 'telethon' is derived from the combination of 'tele-' from 'television' and '-thon' from 'marathon', indicating a prolonged event. The word originated in the United States in the 1940s and has since been adopted globally.
How telethon is actually used
Often used to describe fundraising events for charitable causes, typically involving a prolonged broadcast.