Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

dead-air

noun
/ˌdɛdˈɛr/
Definition
A state of silence in broadcasting when no sound or content is being transmitted.
Examples
  • During the radio show, there was an awkward moment of dead-air after the host lost his train of thought.
  • The technician quickly fixed the equipment to avoid any dead-air during the live broadcast.
Meaning
Dead-air refers to a period during a broadcast when there is a complete lack of audio or content, often considered a mistake or an unproductive gap.
Synonyms
  • silence
  • gap
  • interruption