cable

[ˈkeɪbl]

cable Definition

• 1. a thick rope of wire or hemp used for construction, mooring ships, and towing vehicles
• 2. a set of wires or cords inside a protective casing, used to transmit electricity, telecommunication signals, or data
• 3. a television channel provided by a cable network

Using cable: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "cable" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The ship was secured to the dock with a heavy cable.

• Example

  The internet connection is down because the cable is damaged.

• Example

  I have a cable subscription that includes HBO and Showtime.

cable Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for cable

• cord
• rope
• line
• wire

Idioms Using cable

• cut the cable

  to cancel a cable television subscription

  Example

  I decided to cut the cable and switch to streaming services instead.

• hold the cable

  to maintain control or stability in a situation

  Example

  The CEO had to hold the cable during the company's financial crisis.

• throw a cable

  to make a last-ditch effort to save a situation

  Example

  He decided to throw a cable and propose to his girlfriend before she moved away.

Phrases with cable

• cable car

  a vehicle suspended from a cable and used for transportation, especially up and down a mountain

  Example

  We took a cable car to the top of the mountain to see the view.

• cable knit

  a type of knitting pattern that creates a thick, braided texture resembling a cable

  Example

  She wore a cozy cable knit sweater on the cold winter day.

• cable television

  a system of providing television programming to paying subscribers via coaxial or fiber-optic cables

  Example

  Cable television has been popular since the 1980s.

Origins of cable

from Old North French 'cable', from late Latin 'capulum', meaning 'lasso'

📌

Summary: cable in Brief

The term 'cable' [ˈkeɪbl] refers to a thick rope of wire or hemp used for construction, mooring ships, and towing vehicles, as well as a set of wires or cords inside a protective casing, used to transmit electricity, telecommunication signals, or data. It also denotes a television channel provided by a cable network. The phrase 'cable car' describes a vehicle suspended from a cable, while 'cable knit' refers to a type of knitting pattern. The idiom 'cut the cable' means to cancel a cable television subscription.