'电视塔' (diànshì tǎ) literally means 'electric vision tower' — combining 电 (diàn, 'electric'), 视 (shì, 'to see' or 'vision'), and 塔 (tǎ, 'tower'). It refers specifically to a tall structure built to transmit television and radio signals over a wide area. These towers are often prominent landmarks in cities and may also serve as observation decks or tourist attractions.

While functionally related to broadcasting infrastructure, 电视塔 is used primarily as a proper or common noun for the physical structure itself — not the broadcast service or company. It’s distinct from generic terms like 天线 (tiānxiàn, 'antenna') or 发射台 (fāshè tái, 'transmission station'), emphasizing height, visibility, and architectural presence. Famous examples include the Canton Tower in Guangzhou and the Oriental Pearl Tower in Shanghai.