The word "modem" stands for:

The term "modem" is derived from "modulator-demodulator." This terminology reflects the modem's primary function: it modulates digital signals from a computer into analog signals for transmission over telephone lines and demodulates incoming analog signals back into digital form. This process enables digital devices to communicate over traditional analog communication lines, which is essential for connecting to the internet via dial-up connections, for example. The correct understanding of a modem's role is foundational in networking because it illustrates how digital devices communicate over various types of infrastructure, bridging the gap between different signal types.