1. A device or circuit that extracts the original signal from a modulated carrier wave in telecommunications or radio.
Usage: technical; electronics

Examples

• The radio receiver uses a demodulator to convert the AM signal back into audio.
• A demodulator is essential in any wireless communication system.
• The demodulator in the television extracts the video and audio signals from the broadcast.
• Modern modems contain both a modulator and a demodulator for two-way data transmission.
• The satellite receiver's demodulator processes the incoming signal to recover the original data.