1
a
: the rarefied element formerly believed to fill the upper regions of space
b
: the upper regions of space : heavens
2
a
: a light volatile flammable liquid C4H10O used chiefly as a solvent and especially formerly as an anesthetic
b
: any of a class of organic compounds characterized by an oxygen atom attached to two carbon atoms
3
a
or less commonly aether
: a medium that in the wave theory of light permeates all space and transmits transverse waves
The concept naturally arose of the ether as a frictionless, incompressible, homogeneous, invisible substance that pervaded all space like a transparent jelly.—Martin Gardner
b
: airwaves
broadcasting radio signals into the ether
: the sky
The balloon disappeared into the ether.
plucked an answer out of the ether
—used especially when describing electronic signals that travel through the airbroadcasting radio signals into the ether
sent a message over/through the ether
Cite this Entry
“Ether.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ether. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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