TV is short for television, the device that displays moving pictures and sound broadcast from stations or streamed over the internet. When you watch your favorite show, a sports game, or the news, you're watching TV.

The first TVs appeared in homes in the 1940s and 1950s, showing only black and white pictures. Families would gather around their single TV set to watch together. Today, most households have multiple screens, and TVs can display high-definition color images, connect to the internet, and let you choose what to watch whenever you want.

People also use TV to mean the shows and programs themselves. When someone says “there's nothing good on TV tonight,” they mean the programs being broadcast, not the actual device. The phrase “watching TV” covers everything from cartoons to documentaries to live events.

Television has shaped how people learn about the world, follow news and sports, and share cultural moments. Major events like moon landings, the Olympic Games, and presidential debates reach millions of viewers through TV, creating shared experiences across entire nations.