directv

IPA/daɪɹˈɛktiːvˌiː/
KK[dɚˈɛktˈivˈi]IPA/dərˈɛktˈiːvˈiː/

directv — noun

1. a large American company that provides television programmes to homes through a

1.nounB1
Definition

a large American company that provides television programmes to homes through a satellite signal. People pay a monthly fee to receive dozens or hundreds of channels. The service is used mainly in the United States and Latin America.

Example

Wei switched from cable to DirecTV because the picture quality was better.

switched from [cable] to DirecTV — changing provider

The family subscribed to DirecTV so they could watch football games from other states.

subscribed to DirecTV — paying for the service

Common collocations
  • subscribe to DirecTV
  • DirecTV service
  • watch DirecTV
  • DirecTV customer
  • cancel DirecTV

Usage Note

DirecTV is a brand name and is usually written with a capital D and TV. It is often used as an uncountable noun (without 'a' or 'the') when talking about the service in general: 'We watch DirecTV.' When referring to the company, 'the' is sometimes used: 'He works for DirecTV.'

Common Mistakes

I watched a DirecTV last night.
I watched DirecTV last night.
DirecTV is uncountable when referring to the service.

Common collocations

Nouns

  • DirecTV subscription
  • DirecTV service
  • DirecTV customer
  • DirecTV signal
  • DirecTV package

Verbs

  • subscribe to DirecTV
  • watch DirecTV
  • cancel DirecTV
  • switch to DirecTV

Etymology

English (brand name)American English

DirecTV is a brand name formed from the words 'direct' and 'TV', reflecting the company's original selling point: delivering television directly to homes via satellite rather than through local broadcast towers or cable. The company launched its service in 1994.