1. A very strong thick rope made of twisted hemp or steel wire
   "The suspension bridge was supported by massive steel cables"
    
2. A conductor for transmitting electrical or optical signals or electric power
   "The new transmission cable improved power distribution to remote areas";
   - line, transmission line
    
3. Television that is transmitted over cable directly to the receiver
   "They subscribed to cable to get more channels";
   - cable television
    
4. A television system that transmits over cables
   "They subscribed to a cable system to access a wider range of channels";
   - cable television, cable system, cable television service
    
5. A telegram sent abroad
   "Before email, people often sent cables for urgent international communications";
   - cablegram [archaic], overseas telegram
    
6. A nautical unit of distance, typically about 100 fathoms or 600 feet
   "The submarine dove to a depth of three cable lengths"; "The ship anchored at a cable's length from shore";
   - cable length, cable's length

1. (telegraphy) send cables, wires, or telegrams
   "In the 19th century, people cabled important news across continents";
   - telegraph, wire
    
2. Fasten with a cable
   "cable trees"

Derived forms: cabled, cables, cabling

Type of: boob tube [N. Amer, informal], box [Brit, informal], conductor, fasten, fix, goggle box [Brit, informal], idiot box [N. Amer, informal], linear measure, linear unit, rope, secure, telecasting, telecommunicate, telegram, television, television receiver, television set, television system, telly [Brit, informal], TV, tv set, video, wire

Part of: phone system, suspension bridge, telephone system

Encyclopedia: Cable, Minnesota