Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

modem

/ˈmoʊdəm/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.40 in modern English

Syllables: mo-dem
IPA: /ˈmoʊdəm/

10

Scrabble Score

5

Letters

2

Syllables

4

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A device that encodes digital computer signals into analog telephone signals and vice versa, allowing computers to communicate over a phone line.

verb

To transmit by modem.

Example Sentences

"Choose and rent, over PC and modem and fiber-optic line, from tens of thousands of second-run films, documentaries, the occasional sport, old beloved non—‘Happy Days’ programs, wholly new programs, cultural stuff, and c.[…]"
"Personal modeming is most prevalent in the U.S., where a modem generally doesn't have huge taxes slapped on it, and after-tax income is comparatively high."
"“Books” can even be faxed or modemed to you!"
"He had to modem in to the agency and say that there was an emergency […]"

Etymology

Clipping of modulator-demodulator.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈmoʊdəm/
British English: /ˈməʊdəm/

Inflected Forms

modems (plural) modems (present, singular) modeming (participle, present) modemming (participle, present) modemed (participle, past) modemed (past) modemmed (participle, past) modemmed (past)

Derived Forms

Linmodem modemless nonmodem smartmodem softmodem Winmodem

Phrases

cable modem fax modem null modem radio modem USB modem wireless modem

Rhymes With

odom odum

Questions

How do you pronounce modem?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈmoʊdəm/.
What does modem mean?: A device that encodes digital computer signals into analog telephone signals and vice versa, allowing computers to communicate over a phone line.
Where does modem come from?: Clipping of modulator-demodulator.

How to pronounce modem

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “modem”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈmoʊdəm/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “modem”.
Repeat and practice — Say “modem” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.