audio

1 of 3

adjective

au·​dio ˈȯ-dē-ˌō How to pronounce audio (audio)
1
: of or relating to acoustic, mechanical, or electrical frequencies corresponding to normally audible sound waves which are of frequencies approximately from 15 to 20,000 hertz
2
a
: of or relating to sound or its reproduction and especially high-fidelity reproduction
b
: relating to or used in the transmission or reception of sound compare video
c
: of, relating to, or utilizing recorded sound

audio

2 of 3

noun

1
: an audio signal
broadly : sound entry 1
2
: the section of television or motion-picture equipment that deals with sound
3
: the transmission, reception, or reproduction of sound

audio-

3 of 3

combining form

1
: hearing
audiometer
2
: sound
audiophile
3
: auditory and
audiovisual

Examples of audio in a Sentence

Adjective The audio portion of the broadcast was fine but the picture was poor. They listened to an audio recording of the speech. Noun The picture was clear but the audio was very poor.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
What was the atmosphere like immediately after the audio recordings of Sterling’s racist comments were first released and did the show capture that moment well? Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2024 Loading your audio article By Andrea Castillo | Los Angeles Times Elon Musk and his brother Kimbal were speaking to a crowd of business leaders in 2013 about creating their first company when the conversation seemed to go off script. Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 6 June 2024
Noun
The AirPods Max comes with the same advanced features as its earbud counterparts, like noise cancelation, spatial audio, hands-free calls and Siri dictation, easy touch controls, and more. Jessica Murtaugh, Peoplemag, 24 May 2024 That evolution continued last May when Mr. Musk hosted a buggy audio stream on X to announce and endorse Florida’s governor, Ron DeSantis, for the Republican presidential nomination. Ryan Mac, New York Times, 24 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for audio 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'audio.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

independent use of audio- as adjective

Noun

derivative of audio entry 1, or by shortening of words formed with audio- (as audio-signal)

Combining form

Latin audīre "to hear" + -o- — more at audible entry 1

Note: Probably first in audiometer—see etymology note there.

First Known Use

Adjective

1907, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1926, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of audio was in 1907

Dictionary Entries Near audio

Cite this Entry

“Audio.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/audio. Accessed 11 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

audio

1 of 3 adjective
au·​dio ˈȯd-ē-ˌō How to pronounce audio (audio)
1
: of or relating to electrical or other frequencies occurring in the range of sound waves that can be heard
2
a
: of or relating to sound or its reproduction and especially accurate reproduction
bought new audio equipment
b
: relating to or used in sending or receiving sound compare video entry 2 sense 1

audio

2 of 3 noun
1
: the sending, receiving, or reproducing of sound
2
: the part of television or motion-picture equipment that deals with sound

audio-

3 of 3 combining form
1
: hearing
audiometer
2
: sound
audiophile
3
: auditory and
audiovisual
Etymology

Combining form

derived from Latin audire "to hear"

More from Merriam-Webster on audio

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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