cable
B1Neutral. Used across formal, informal, and technical contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A thick, strong rope made of wires or fiber, or a bundle of wires used to transmit electricity or telecommunications signals.
A system for providing television or internet services via such wires; the content transmitted via such a system (e.g., cable TV); a nautical unit of length; a telegram sent via submarine cable (historical).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The meaning shifts contextually from a physical object (wire/rope) to the service it provides (TV/Internet) to a historical communication method (telegram).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. 'Cable' as a verb (to send a telegram) is now archaic in both. In TV contexts, 'cable' is universally used, though specific provider names differ.
Connotations
Identical. Suggests reliability (physical cable), modernity (broadband), or traditional TV vs. streaming.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both dialects due to technological ubiquity.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to cable something to someone (archaic)to be cabled to somethingto cable for somethingN + cable + of + N (a cable of wires)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Cut the cable (to cancel a TV subscription).”
- “Cable-knit (a type of stitch pattern in textiles).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to telecommunications infrastructure, service providers, or market (e.g., 'cable stocks').
Academic
Used in engineering, physics, and media studies for technical descriptions.
Everyday
Commonly refers to TV/Internet service, charging cords, or visible wires.
Technical
Specifies types (e.g., coaxial, twisted pair, armoured) with precise electrical/data specs.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- They cabled the news to the headquarters overnight.
- We'll need to cable the new server to the network point.
American English
- He cabled the money to her account.
- The studio cabled the reporter for an immediate update.
adverb
British English
- This service is provided cable-free. (rare, compound adjective)
- N/A
American English
- N/A
- N/A
adjective
British English
- She wore a warm cable-knit jumper.
- The cable car offers stunning views of the city.
American English
- He bought a cable-knit sweater for the winter.
- The cable TV package includes hundreds of channels.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My phone charger has a long cable.
- We watch cartoons on cable television.
- The electrician is installing a new power cable.
- I cancelled my cable subscription to save money.
- The internet outage was caused by a severed undersea cable.
- She prefers cable news for its continuous coverage.
- The bridge is supported by massive steel cables anchored in concrete.
- The proliferation of streaming services has eroded the traditional cable industry's dominance.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a strong, thick table leg made of twisted wires—a 'cable' holds up the table of modern communication.
Conceptual Metaphor
CABLE IS A CONDUIT FOR POWER/INFORMATION (channeling energy, data, signals).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'кабель' (правильно) и 'кабельное TV' (правильно). Однако 'to cable' как глагол (отправлять телеграмму) устарело и переводится контекстуально.
- В русском 'трос' чаще для подъёмных/тяговых канатов, в английском 'cable' покрывает оба значения.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'cable' as a countable noun for every single wire ('I need a cable' is fine, but 'a bundle of cables' can be ambiguous).
- Confusing 'cable' with 'wire' (a wire is a single strand; a cable is a bundle).
Practice
Quiz
In a historical context, 'to cable someone' most likely meant:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Originally for TV, 'cable' now commonly refers to broadband internet delivered via the same coaxial or fibre-optic infrastructure.
Technically, a wire is a single conductive strand. A cable is an assembly of multiple wires (or fibres) bundled together, often with insulation and protective sheathing.
Yes, but its main modern meaning is to connect or equip with cable ('cable a building'). The historical meaning 'to send a cablegram' is now archaic.
It means to cancel a traditional paid television subscription service, often in favour of streaming services. It's called 'cord-cutting' in US English.
Collections
Part of a collection
Technology Basics
A2 · 48 words · Everyday technology and digital devices.