tonearm

noun

tone·​arm ˈtōn-ˌärm How to pronounce tonearm (audio)
: the movable part of a phonograph or record player that carries the pickup and permits the needle to follow the record groove

Examples of tonearm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The wood chassis is CNC-machined and the aluminum tonearm is factory fitted with a high-quality Ortofon OM 5E cartridge. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024 The two-speed turntable offers a carbon tonearm as well as a metal control knob, faceplate, and inlay. Sheena Vasani, The Verge, 10 Jan. 2024 To the right of the tonearm lies the on/off button and controls for the volume and RPM speed. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 22 Dec. 2023 The Sapphire is well-appointed beyond its streaming skills, including the same Ortofon 2M Blue stylus cartridge found in some of our favorite turntables, a low-resonance MDF plinth, and a carbon-fiber tonearm. Condé Nast, WIRED, 9 Jan. 2024 Components that are boldly displayed on the record players of yore—such as the tonearm, power dial, and speed selector—have been cleverly disguised in Paez’s design. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 22 Dec. 2023 The low-friction, vibration-free tonearm bearing ensures higher-quality sound. L.a. Hubilla, Peoplemag, 15 Dec. 2023 The tonearm base and headshell have been redesigned for improved tracking and reduced resonance, and the phono cartridge has a replaceable stylus. Amanda Ogle, Southern Living, 28 Nov. 2023 The result is an ultra-dense wood, with minimal resonance, that offers superior isolation for the turntable suspension and tonearm board. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 14 July 2023

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

Word History

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tonearm was in 1907

Dictionary Entries Near tonearm

Cite this Entry

“Tonearm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tonearm. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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