newswire
B2Formal, Technical (Media/Journalism), Business
Definition
Meaning
A service that transmits news stories, articles, and press releases electronically to subscribers (such as news organizations).
The collective output or content provided by such a service; also used to refer to the industry or system of distributing news electronically.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Refers primarily to the distribution system or service itself, but metonymically can refer to the content it carries (e.g., 'the newswire was full of financial updates'). Often a component of a larger news agency.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The term is standard in both varieties.
Connotations
Professional, institutional, associated with the formal news industry. Neutral connotation.
Frequency
Equally common in both UK and US media/journalism contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Verb] + newswire (e.g., hit the newswire, move on the newswire)[Adjective] + newswire (e.g., major newswire, financial newswire)newswire + [Noun] (e.g., newswire service, newswire report)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “hit the newswire”
- “move on the newswire”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Crucial for distributing corporate earnings reports, mergers & acquisitions announcements, and regulatory filings in real-time.
Academic
Used in media studies to discuss the structure and flow of news information.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation; typically encountered when discussing how news stories are sourced.
Technical
Core term in journalism and financial industries denoting the electronic distribution network for time-sensitive news.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The newswire report contained urgent updates.
- They received a newswire alert about the royal announcement.
American English
- The newswire copy needed immediate editing.
- A newswire story broke about the Senate vote.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The news was on the newswire.
- Journalists check the newswire for breaking news stories.
- The company's statement was sent out on the newswire.
- The merger announcement hit the financial newswires just before the market closed.
- Major news organisations subscribe to several international newswires.
- Despite the press embargo, details of the report were leaked to a major newswire, forcing an early official release.
- The analyst's commentary, widely circulated on the newswires, significantly influenced investor sentiment.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a WIRE carrying NEWS. Just as a wire transmits electricity, a newswire transmits news stories.
Conceptual Metaphor
INFORMATION IS A COMMODITY TRANSPORTED THROUGH CONDUITS (The newswire 'carries' or 'delivers' news).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation to 'новостная проволока'. Use 'новостное агентство' (news agency) or 'служба новостей' (news service) for the organization, and 'лента новостей' (news feed) for the output.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a synonym for any website with news (e.g., 'I read it on a newswire' instead of '...on a news site'). Confusing 'newswire' (service) with 'newsletter' (regular publication).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a newswire?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A newswire is a distribution service for raw news content to other organizations (like newspapers or broadcasters). A newspaper website is the final product presented to the public.
Typically, no. Newswires are expensive services aimed at professional news organizations, corporations, and financial institutions. Individuals get newswire content indirectly through those organizations.
Examples include Reuters, Associated Press (AP), Agence France-Presse (AFP), Bloomberg News, and Press Association.
It's an idiom meaning a piece of news has been officially released and distributed via the newswire service, becoming available to all subscribers.
Explore