modem

Everyday

1. A box or device that connects a computer or home network to the internet through a phone line, cable or fibre. tree →
2. Often, at home, the same box as the router that makes the Wi-Fi. tree →

In the lessons

In computing lessons the modem is the link between your home and the internet provider: data goes from the computer to the router, to the modem, and out along the line. Old modems made screeching noises when they dialled up. Everyday: «turn the modem off and on again» is a common fix when the internet is down. Phrases: «reset the modem», «the modem lights», «modem and router».

Examples

• The internet stopped, so Dad switched the modem off and on again. tree →
• The modem has blinking green lights. tree →
• Our modem is plugged into the phone socket. tree →
• In the old days modems made a squealing sound when they connected. tree →
• The modem and router are in one box in our hallway. tree →
• A modem turns computer signals into signals that can travel along a cable. tree →
• The engineer came to fit a new fibre modem. tree →

Note

Countable: a modem, modems. The name comes from «modulator–demodulator». Common confusion: a modem connects to the internet, while a router shares the connection between devices (Wi-Fi); many homes have one box doing both. Stress on the first syllable: MO-dem.

In Jewish tradition

In computing lessons the modem is the link between your home and the internet provider: data goes from the computer to the router, to the modem, and out along the line. Old modems made screeching noises when they dialled up. Everyday: «turn the modem off and on again» is a common fix when the internet is down. Phrases: «reset the modem», «the modem lights», «modem and router».

Note

Countable: a modem, modems. The name comes from «modulator–demodulator». Common confusion: a modem connects to the internet, while a router shares the connection between devices (Wi-Fi); many homes have one box doing both. Stress on the first syllable: MO-dem.