radio telescope

noun

: a radio receiver-antenna combination used for observation in radio astronomy

Examples of radio telescope in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The world’s most sensitive radio telescope array is set to be built in the Nevada desert. — Jeremy Mikula, NBC news, 21 June 2026 And overall there are almost as many operational radio telescopes as there are visible-light ones. — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 15 May 2026 In contrast, China has placed greater emphasis on the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, using the world’s largest radio telescope to look for potential signs of life beyond Earth. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 31 May 2026 The science fiction film trope of the passionate astronomer monitoring radio telescopes in search of transmissions from an extraterrestrial intelligence, then actually hearing one, seems cliché today after decades of overuse. — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 31 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for radio telescope

Word History

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of radio telescope was in 1947

Rhymes for radio telescope

See All Rhymes for radio telescope

Browse Nearby Words

radiotelephony
radio telescope
radiotherapy
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Cite this Entry

“Radio telescope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/radio%20telescope. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

radio telescope

noun
: a radio receiver-antenna combination used for observation in radio astronomy

More from Merriam-Webster on radio telescope

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about radio telescope

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