digital radio: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to technical.
Quick answer
What does “digital radio” mean?
A system or technology for broadcasting or receiving radio signals using digital encoding, as opposed to traditional analogue (AM/FM) signals.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A system or technology for broadcasting or receiving radio signals using digital encoding, as opposed to traditional analogue (AM/FM) signals.
A physical device or receiver capable of playing digital audio broadcasts, or the audio programming content transmitted via digital radio technology (e.g., DAB, DAB+, HD Radio).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'digital radio' is almost synonymous with 'DAB' (Digital Audio Broadcasting). In the US, it is more commonly associated with 'HD Radio', a competing standard. The term 'satellite radio' (e.g., SiriusXM) is a distinct concept in both regions.
Connotations
In the UK, it strongly connotes the national DAB rollout and the potential future switch-off of FM. In the US, it can imply higher audio quality and extra data services but is less dominant than in the UK market.
Frequency
More frequent in everyday UK English due to widespread DAB adoption. In US English, the specific term 'HD Radio' is often used in technical/marketing contexts, while 'digital radio' is a broader umbrella term.
Grammar
How to Use “digital radio” in a Sentence
have/get + a digital radiolisten to + digital radioswitch/tune to + digital radiobroadcast on/over + digital radioVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “digital radio” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The BBC will continue to digitalise its radio services.
- We need to digitise the archive for future digital radio broadcasts.
American English
- The station is digitizing its back catalog for HD Radio multicast channels.
adverb
British English
- The programme is broadcast digitally on DAB.
- We now listen to the news digitally.
American English
- The station broadcasts digitally in the city center.
adjective
British English
- The digital-radio switchover is a major policy issue.
- They offer a digital-radio subscription service.
American English
- The digital radio signal is much clearer on this stretch of highway.
- He works in digital radio advertising.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The company is investing in the digital radio infrastructure to future-proof its broadcasting capabilities.
Academic
The study compared the spectral efficiency of various digital radio transmission standards.
Everyday
My new car came with a built-in digital radio, so I get more stations now.
Technical
The OFDM modulation used in DAB digital radio is resistant to multipath interference.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “digital radio”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “digital radio”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “digital radio”
- Using 'digital radio' to mean any radio with a digital display (many analogue radios have digital tuners).
- Confusing 'digital radio' with streaming services like Spotify or internet radio apps.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends. For DAB in the UK, the existing FM antenna often works, but an optimized DAB antenna may improve reception. For HD Radio in the US, the existing car antenna is usually sufficient.
No. Digital radio (DAB/HD Radio) is terrestrial broadcast radio using digital signals. Internet radio streams via the internet, and satellite radio (e.g., SiriusXM) broadcasts from satellites. They are different technologies.
Only if your phone has a built-in digital radio tuner (common in some regions like Europe, rare in US smartphones). Most radio apps on phones use internet streaming, not true broadcast digital radio.
This varies by country. Some countries (e.g., Norway) have switched off major FM networks. The UK and others have delayed a full switch-off due to cost and coverage concerns. FM will likely coexist with digital radio for many years.
A system or technology for broadcasting or receiving radio signals using digital encoding, as opposed to traditional analogue (AM/FM) signals.
Digital radio is usually neutral to technical. in register.
Digital radio: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdɪdʒ.ɪ.təl ˈreɪ.di.əʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdɪdʒ.ə.t̬əl ˈreɪ.di.oʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The digital revolution (applied to radio)”
- “Go digital (in the context of switching radio types)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'digital' as numbers (digits) and 'radio' as sound waves. Digital radio turns sound into a stream of numbers for clearer transmission.
Conceptual Metaphor
A CLEARER PIPELINE FOR SOUND (digital as a clean, efficient conduit versus analogue as a noisy pipe).
Practice
Quiz
What is a key technical advantage of digital radio over traditional FM?